The Book of Daniel
As Christians we live in exile, like Daniel and his friends did, as “aliens and strangers in the world” (1 Peter 2:11). Our faith as Christians living in the world comes under pressure in many different ways. The antidote is trust and dependence on our all powerful God and not on self. God is in control, even when it doesn't seem like it.
The Jewish people had been conquered by the Babylonians yet God was still sovereign and even the rulers of the Babylonian empire had to acknowledge this truth. While so much is different in our context today compared to Daniel’s, the truth remains that God is sovereign across our world and the world’s leaders are subject to his ultimate authority.
While there is much to be learnt from Daniel as a man, there is much that separates us from him - we live in a very different culture and time and we live in the light of Christ’s redemption. We need therefore to tread carefully in application. Daniel’s actions are not necessarily normative for us today.
The Book of Daniel
Watch this video to discover a really helpful overview of the book of Daniel, as a background for our new series looking at Daniel chapters 1-6.
Week 1: Compromise
Life is bleak. Daniel and his friends have been taken from Jerusalem to Nebuchadnezzar’s court - as well as some of the temple articles. Has God abandoned them? Is he still sovereign? God is quietly at work as Daniel chooses to take a stand - interestingly on his diet - not his name nor education nor other areas of assimilation. Yet in this private way, known only to the four men and the guard - the men show that they are distinct and different. How do we decide when to take a stand? Do we compromise our values too easily? How different are we from our surrounding culture?
Week 2: Fear
The immediate context of the events of this chapter is that Daniel and his friends are to be put to death (v 13). The friends pray and plead for mercy (v 18) and God reveals the dream and its meaning to Daniel in a vision. God alone is the revealer of mysteries and knows the future (45b). What are we afraid of? Others? The future? God is sovereign over time itself for he is “God of gods and the Lord of kings”.
Week 3: Idolatry
There is huge pressure on Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego to worship Nebuchadnezzar’s golden image. Their very lives are at stake. Yet as Nebuchadnezzar finally declares they were not willing “to serve or worship any god except their own God” (v 28). What are we tempted to worship other than God? Do our lives reflect our dedication to God so much so that others will praise God?
Week 4: Pride
This is an incredible testimony from Nebuchadnezzar! As he admits v 30 his pride leads him to believe all that he has is as a result of his own power and might and for his own glory - not God’s. How does pride impact our lives? How can we ensure God always gets the glory?
Week 5: Self-love
King Belshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar doesn't learn from his father’s example. He takes the gold and silver goblets which were taken from the temple in Jerusalem (cf chapter 1) for his own festive use. As Daniel declares (v 23) “you did not honour the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways”. How do we honour God in our lives? Do we live in such a way which acknowledges that our lives are in his hands alone?
Week 6: Injustice
The horror of this story is that Daniel is sent to the lion’s den because of the jealousy of the other administrators and satraps. Even King Darius is powerless to stop this injustice. In the light of our powerlessness, we look to the powerful God. As King Darius declares “he is the living God and he endures for ever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end” (v 26).