Our lifestyle is an overall demonstration of our values and attitudes. Our lifestyle reflects what we consider important. What we DO on a regular bases shows what we really want to do and what is important to us. In general, our prevailing behaviour establishes our lifestyle.
There are times when what we want to do is interrupted by circumstances beyond our control. How we adjust to these interruptions is another reflection on what we consider important. However, if possible, we usually try to resume our regular activities after the interruptions.
A very good example of someone who maintained what was important to him in the midst of some major interruptions was the Prophet Daniel in the Bible.
Daniel was a very unique man, a very honourable man, a very wise and discerning man! Daniel was so famous, not only during his lifetime, but also famous in the eternal, spiritual realm. We know this because Daniel received a tremendous award by being listed alongside two other famous men – Noah and Job! These three men were listed together as being such righteous men that consequently they would escape destruction (Ezekiel 14:20)!
So by studying Daniel’s example, we can learn some valuable lifestyle lessons.
The Major Interruption
Daniel was of noble birth, of the royal family of Judah. Sadly however, he was among the many young children of Israel who were carried captive as slaves into Babylon in approximately B. C. 600. Once in Babylon, he was singled out, along with a group of other children, who were considered to be “without blemish, handsome and skillful in all wisdom; and who had knowledge and understanding, and were able to stand in the king’s palace” (Daniel 1:4).
What happened to Daniel at this young age, along with the other children, was most certainly a major interruption to their lifestyle! It must have been devastating to be uprooted from their home, taken captive into a completely foreign environment, and regrettably, for many of the boys, most likely lost their manhood (became eunuchs).
As captive children, these young children were required to learn and be educated in the literature and language of the Chaldeans, and they were to follow the same diet as King Nebuchadnezzar. After three years of this rigid discipline, they were to be presented to the king.
However, as we shall see, Daniel had a big advantage in coping with, and enduring, this huge, overwhelming interruption in his life! Actually, he had two BIG advantages – two advantages that enabled Daniel to endure and eventually thrive in this foreign land.
Let’s take a look at these two advantages.
1) First Advantage: Daniel’s Knowledge of God’s Word
As we read through the book of Daniel in the Bible, it seems most likely that Daniel’s parents taught Daniel, from a very young age, to read, learn, and memorize the Scriptures, the Word of God — The Torah, The Prophets, The Writings (known as The TaNaKh of the Hebrew Bible).
Daniel was surely encouraged very often to be obedient to the LORD God (whose Hebrew name is Yahuwah Elohim). It is also very probable that Daniel’s parents required Daniel to make a copy of God’s Word for himself.
Additionally, Daniel’s parents certainly wanted to obey the Scriptures themselves. Therefore they must have been faithful and persistent to obey the instructions in Deuteronomy that urge parents to diligently teach their children God’s Word. (All parents should take heed to the following):
Hear, O Israel: The LORD our God (Yahuwah Elohim) is one LORD: And you shall love the LORD your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your might. And these words, which I command you this day, shall be in your heart: And you shall teach them diligently unto your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, and when you walk by the way, and when you lie down, and when you rise up. (Deuteronomy 6:4-7)
Everyone Reaped the Consequences
During the years of Daniel’s young childhood, the nation of Israel as a whole, for many years, had turned its back on the LORD God, refusing to be obedient to God’s Word. However, there was a remnant of people who must have clung to the LORD (Yahuwah), maintaining their obedience to God’s Word. This is very obvious as one reads the book of Daniel. Daniel must have been in a godly family that wanted to remain obedient to the Word of the LORD, regardless of the leaders of the nation’s apostasy.
Because the nation of Israel had turned its back on the LORD, then sadly, the time came when all the people had to reap the consequences of their nation’s disobedience (see Leviticus 26 and Deuteronomy 28).
Nevertheless, because of his training throughout his childhood, Daniel must have had a thorough knowledge of God’s Word, which was a BIG advantage for him in coping with his captivity. The WORD of God had been ‘hidden’ deeply in his heart!
Let’s look at three of the many CLUES in the book of Daniel that prove the Scriptural training Daniel must have received as a child, revealing his knowledge of the Word of God.
- FIRST Proof of Daniel’s Knowledge of God’s Word
It seems obvious, as one reads through the book of Daniel, that Daniel had a very strong determination to cling to one particular verse of God’s Word found in the Psalms:
Your Word (O LORD) have I hid in my heart, that I might not sin against You. (Psalms 119:11)
Daniel’s determination to ‘not sin against the LORD’ was an over-riding, dominating theme that seems to have encompassed his entire lifetime! To ‘NOT sin against the LORD’ obviously means to be obedient to the LORD God (Yahuwah Elohim). This is the purpose for hiding God’s Word in our heart!
There are many verses in the Bible (specifically in The Torah), that strongly urge obedience to the LORD God’s Words: His instructions, teachings, and guidelines. Certainly the Commandment to love the LORD God is one instruction that Daniel must have diligently learned and repeated numerous times (Deuteronomy 6:4-5).
The knowledge of God’s Word imparted unto Daniel during his childhood gave him a very strong determination to remain faithful and obedient to the LORD. As a young child, he began to ‘hide‘ God’s Words in his heart by his constant, daily, diligent repetition of the Scriptures! Having God’s Word ‘hidden’ in his heart gave him the strength and grace to not sin against the LORD through disobedience, and therefore, to not depart from the ways of the LORD (Psalms 18:21).
This kind of childhood training helped Daniel to maintain his lifestyle of devotion to the LORD God (Yahuwah Elohim) throughout his entire life, even in the midst of many obstacles.
“All of us (young and old) should heed this Scripture that urges us to ‘hide’ God’s Word in our heart – by constant, daily, diligent repetition of the Scriptures. This is a ‘little by little, line upon line’ process that takes much time. This process (which yields great rewards) ought to become a daily part of our lifestyle.”
- SECOND Proof of Daniel’s Knowledge of God’s Word
Just by reading Chapter 1 of the book of Daniel, it is obvious that Daniel knew the Word of God very well. The 8th verse of Chapter One proves Daniel’s determination to maintain his obedience to God’s Word, specifically regarding God’s dietary instructions
But Daniel purposed (resolved) in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank. (Daniel 1:8a)
Daniel determined to ‘not defile himself’ with the king’s food! Daniel was motivated by God’s Words that were ‘hidden in his heart’. The knowledge of God’s Word gave Daniel the important guidelines that define the dietary instructions for God’s people. God’s Word explicitly defines what food is, and is not; what God considers to be clean, and what He considers to be unclean, and is not for food.
The Word of God tells us what food is sanctified and what is not — in other words, what we should eat, and what we should not eat (see 1Timothy 4:5; Deuteronomy 14; Leviticus 11).
Also Daniel was likely instructed in the Proverbs of Solomon. Therefore Daniel wanted to obey Solomon’s warning in Proverbs 23 – Be not desirous of (a ruler’s) dainties: for they are deceitful meat. (Proverbs 23:3; see also verse 6)
- THIRD Proof of Daniel’s Knowledge of God’s Word
Even at this early stage of his captivity, Daniel (along with his three close friends) must have exhibited some very amazing qualities of character, because God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs. (Daniel 1:9)
How could such favor and tender love have happened to Daniel? The Scriptures have many answers to this question:
- This book of the Law (the Torah) shall not depart out of your mouth; but you shall meditate therein day and night, that you may observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then, you shall make your way prosperous, and then you shall have good success. (Joshua 1:8)
- My son, forget not My Law (Torah); but let your heart keep My commandments… Let not mercy and truth forsake you,… write them upon the table of your heart; so shall you find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. (Proverbs 3:1-4)
- The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom: the knowledge of the Holy is understanding. (Proverbs 9:10)
- When a man’s ways please the LORD, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him! (Proverbs 16:7)
- Good understanding gives favour. The lips of the wise preserve them. He that handles a matter wisely finds good. (Proverbs 13:15a; 14:3b; 16:20a)
- The integrity of the upright shall guide them. Those who are upright in their way are the LORD’s delight. A person who diligently seeks good finds favour. (Proverbs 11:3a, 20b, 27a)
The above Scriptures give us clues for why Daniel had favour with the prince of the eunuchs. The above Scriptures contain promises of success — of wisdom, favour, understanding, and peace. Such blessings COME upon those whose ways please the LORD, who walk in the Fear of the LORD. These desirable characteristics are consequences of those who know and do God’s Word!
Because of Daniel’s knowledge and obedience to God’s Word, he was therefore enabled to exhibit very attractive character qualities — courage, truthfulness, righteousness, wisdom, and humility (Proverbs 10:29a). (What an encouraging example of this devoted servant of God!)
There is a description of Daniel’s character in Chapter 5, describing him as a man having “an excellent spirit, knowledge and understanding, explaining of dreams, and revealing of hard sentences” (Daniel 5:12a).
Despite being forced into a very foreign environment, Daniel was a man who (with God’s help!!) maintained his heart’s desire to obey God (even in small matters), and to ‘walk in the Fear of the LORD’. Everyone around him knew he was a man of sincere integrity and godliness.
There is much more that could be said about Daniel’s obvious knowledge of the Scriptures! Throughout the book of Daniel, there are repeated incidences that clearly show Daniel’s knowledge and determined commitment to the TRUTH of God’s Word.
For now however, we will move on to briefly consider his Second Advantage in coping with, and enduring, the huge interruption in his life.
2) Second Advantage: Daniel’s Relationship With the LORD God
There are several verses in the book of Daniel that give us further clues about Daniel’s relationship with the LORD. But we will look at only two CLUES proving that Daniel had an exceptional relationship with the LORD God.
- FIRST Proof of Daniel’s Close Relationship with the LORD God
In Chapter 2 of the book of Daniel, there was a serious dilemma for all those who were considered “the wise men of Babylon” (Daniel 2:1-13), which included Daniel and his close friends.
King Nebuchadnezzar had dreamed a dream and he was greatly troubled by the dream, but he could not remember the dream. The king angrily demanded that the ‘wise men’ should tell him the dream, with the interpretation, or else all the ‘wise men’ would be slain immediately.
Daniel managed to pacify the king (Proverbs 16:14), thus delaying the destruction. Then Daniel and his friends began seeking the “mercies of the God of Heaven concerning this secret” (Daniel 2:18).
After earnest prayer by Daniel (along with his companions), the revelation of the king’s mysterious dream was revealed to Daniel in a night vision: Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of Heaven. Daniel 2:19)
This is a definite clue to the kind of close relationship Daniel had with the LORD (Yahuwah), as the Scriptures confirm:
- The secret of the LORD is with Them That Fear Him; and He will show them His covenant. (Psalms 25:14)
- The LORD’s secret is with the righteous. (Proverbs 3:32b)
- Know that the LORD has set apart him that is godly for Himself: the LORD will hear when I call unto Him. (Psalms 4:3)
That English word ‘secret’ is the Hebrew word ‘sode’ <Strong’s #3245> and can also mean ‘friendship’ or ‘intimacy’ (with God).
Daniel was surely ‘intimate’ with God to have this very important secret of the king’s dream (along with it’s interpretation), revealed to Daniel! It seems very likely that Daniel, from his youth, cultivated a lifestyle of learning how to pray, of practicing his prayer times daily. Daniel learned how to draw near to the presence of the LORD through much regular prayer times. Daniel must have known something that Charles Finney learned: If you desire to pray effectively, you must pray a great deal!
Daniel obviously knew and trusted the LORD’s merciful nature toward those who love Him and keep His commandments. He knew God’s many promises of answering those who call upon Him in truth and sincerity! Daniel knew HOW to pray — how to seek God and how to call upon his God in this urgent need! (Deuteronomy 7:9; Psalms 145:18 & 46:1)
Also, the ‘secret’ Daniel desperately needed was revealed to him because, as the above verse from Psalms 25 confirms, Daniel was walking in ‘the Fear of the LORD‘ — a character quality that promises things “will be well with them that fear God” (Ecclesiastes 8:12)!
May we all be like Daniel and make prayer a regular part of our lifestyle, and to confidently trust Father God’s power, grace, and goodness to strengthen us in the face of opposition!
- SECOND Proof of Daniel’s Close Relationship with the LORD God
In Chapter 6 of the book of Daniel, there was another very serious dilemma facing Daniel. By this time, several years had transpired, and the LORD (Yahuwah) had raised up Daniel to be a well-favored, highly-respected leader within the king’s government.
However, as we saw in They Tried to Outsmart God, the other chief rulers and senior officials were jealous of Daniel. These wicked men used trickery and deceit to have Daniel thrown into the lion’s den. They were determined to outsmart Daniel by tricking the king into destroying Daniel, by establishing a royal decree which could not be altered! (see Daniel 6:6-15).
But Daniel was of an ‘excellent spirit’! He was known as a faithful and upright servant, serving the Living God, while in service to King Darius. Daniel’s lifestyle was devoted to obeying the written Word of God and to seeking God’s direction every day. And even though this dilemma was a life-or-death threat to Daniel, he continued to maintain his close relationship with the LORD by his habit of daily prayer:
- Now when Daniel knew that the writing (the royal decree) was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime (as he always did before) (Daniel 6:10).
Daniel’s relationship to the LORD was not hindered by these wicked events. Daniel loved God, wanted to please and honour God in every way, and maintain his lifestyle of devotion to God in the midst of extremely difficult circumstances. Daniel’s trust in God’s lovingkindness for him was so strong that he confidently kept his daily habit of prayer in spite of the threats (Psalms 17:7-9).
And what was the outcome of the wicked plot against Daniel after his night in the lion’s den? God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths. The lions did not hurt Daniel because he trusted in his God. (see Daniel 6:19-23) Daniel was not harmed: “The angel of the LORD encamps round about them that fear Him, and delivers them” (Psalms 34:7)!
Oh that each one of us would have such a trusting heart as Daniel’s – to love the LORD God passionately, personally, regardless of opposition or persecution!
Daniel – Greatly Beloved
The Prophet Daniel in the Bible is such a wonderful example of someone who maintained what was important to him in the midst of major and very challenging interruptions. There is much to learn from his example!
Because God’s Word was hidden deeply in Daniel’s heart, and because his relationship with the LORD (Yahuwah) was personal, intimate, and trusting, Daniel was enabled to keep his eyes and his hopes on the faithfulness of the LORD God. Daniel knew the greatness of his God — that his God was powerful, merciful, loving, and well able to protect him!
Daniel was a humble man who was willing to confess his sins, and not cover up his failings (Daniel 9:20). With God’s Word in his heart, Daniel knew the great importance of acknowledging and confessing his sins (Psalms 32:5; see also Proverbs 28:130; Psalms 19:12-14).
What is so interesting is that three times, when Daniel was a much older man, he is described as a man ‘greatly beloved‘ (see Daniel 9:23 and Daniel 10:11,19)! What a rewarding declaration for this man to receive after his many years of captivity!
This description of Daniel should inspire us to learn the lessons presented here so that we too can learn to maintain a lifestyle that is pleasing to the LORD, even through grievous interruptions and opposition.
Cold Waters to a Thirsty Soul
Cold Waters to a Thirsty Soul 
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