STEEM CHURCH|LESSONS FROM DANIEL

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The name Daniel has become a household name in the Christendom with a Hebrew root meaning “God is my judge’’. Daniel was one of the several children taken into Babylonian captivity where they were given Chaldean education.

He, however, never converted to Babylonian way of life though captive in their territory. He resolved to live within the Godly ideals and the fear of God he had received. For him, that meant refusing to eat food offered to idols and debauchery. His non-compromising way of life and his continuous success incurred the wrath of false accusers who sought an occasion against him(Daniel 6:1-6). However, God who stands for and with those who take their stand for HIM defended Daniel.

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Daniel became God’s favourite because he dared to be righteous and upstanding amidst ungodly people who opposed righteous living. Amidst other enviable virtues, Daniel was faithful and he had an excellent spirit. He was prayerful and was a man of great faith, who strongly believed in God. People of such make are hard to compel to renounce their faith in God even in the face of life threatening situations. He also had Godly companions who also had faith in God; Shedrach, Meshach and Abednego. This biblical encounter is most special to me because my name is Shedrach and I try to model my life after this men who believed in God with all their might.

Earthly positions, possessions, privilege, prominence, and power to him weighed far less than his relationship with the living God. He preserved pure lifestyle before perverted folks, Daniel feared God. What a challenge he poses to us in the dispensation of grace. People around him such as Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, and Belshazzar knew Daniel to be a pious man who feared, loved, prayed to, served and trusted God.

People around you should have similar testimony to share about you, be it in your community, work place, church e.t.c. Let others see Jesus in you, you do not have to go about preaching to win souls for Christ, your lifestyle alone can convert people for Christ, so an enjoin you today to be a worthy ambassador of the body of Christ anywhere you find yourself.

In my study of this great biblical personality called Daniel, I developed acronyms to attempt a proper characterization of his personality. They are as follows;

DETERMINATION: He was determined to remain Godly and by the grace of God, he kept his consecration till the end (Daniel 1:8).

ASPIRATION: He had strong desire for success in life in a Godly way without cutting corners(Daniel 1:11-13, 6:28).

NOBILITY: Daniel was a noble man and impressive character. He could stand before kings and other men of high esteem (Daniel 1:17-18).

INTEGRITY: Daniel possessed firm principles which included rectitude and high professional standards (Daniel 6:4)

EXCELLENCE: Daniel possessed an excellent spirit; always driving towards excellence in all things, little wonder he stood before kings and not before mean folks (Daniel 1:18-21, 6:1-3, 5:12).

LOVE: Daniel so loved the Lord that life threatening situations and decrees could not sever him from God (Daniel 6:8, 10, 11).

Prophet Ezekiel, showering encomium on him described him as a “pattern of righteousness” (Ezekiel 14:14). Indeed, Daniel is perfect example for all Christians to emulate.

May we live such a worthy life before we depart this world of sin in the name of our Lord Jesus.

Thanks and God bless.

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