Read: But Daniel made up his mind that he would not defile himself with the king’s choice food or with the wine which he drank; so he sought permission from the commander of the officials that he might not defile himself. Dan 1:8

Examine: Daniel was a righteous man of princely lineage and lived about 620–538 B.C. Daniel and his God-fearing friends were forced to live in Babylon, far from home and far from the land their Lord had promised them. He was carried off to Babylon in 605 B.C. by Nebuchadnezzar. Despite the “captivity” of the Jews, Daniel enjoyed the highest offices of state at Babylon, but he was very faithful to His God.

In Babylon, when he was asked to eat the King’s food, which was contrary to his faith.  Daniel made up his mind not to let himself become ritually unclean by eating the food and drinking the wine of the royal court, so he asked Ashpenaz to help him, God made Ashpenaz sympathetic to Daniel and later when tested Daniel and his friends were found 10 times more knowledge than other.

Later when the kingdom changed from Babylon to Medo Persia, Daniel’s faith was again tested, but there was no negligence or fault found in Daniel, after a while we see there was a rule made to trap Daniel, but he stood faithful and was thrown into Lion’s den, Lord delivered. On hearing the news, the king was overjoyed and gave orders for Daniel to be pulled up out of the pit. So they pulled him up and saw that he had not been hurt at all, for he trusted God.

In the last section, we see Daniel‘s prophecy regarding the end days and deliverance of Israel from captivity.

Application: Daniel was faithful even in a foreign country when he had every reason to complain about slavery. He was even ready to risk His life for his faithfulness.

 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel regarding government affairs, but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption since he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him.

His Faith led him to be thrown into the Lion’s den. When he was old. Daniel observed in the books the number of years which was revealed as the word of the Lord, he was a student of the word of God. In the last few chapters of Prophecy, we see that the Lord speaks of Daniel as a highly esteemed man.

Decision: Oh Lord! let me have the testimony, and faithfulness like Daniel and be able to hear well done faithful servant. Lord angel Gabriel said, At the beginning of your supplications the command was issued, and I have come to tell you, for you are highly esteemed; so give heed to the message and gain an understanding of the vision.