S. Michael Houdmann Supporter Got Questions Ministries

The life of Daniel can be read in his own writings in the book of Daniel and in Ezekiel 14:14, 20; 28:3; and Mark 13:14. There are some striking similarities between the life of Daniel and that of ...

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July 01 2013 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jack Gutknecht Supporter Arizona Bible College & Dallas Seminary graduate, Pentair

In my book, Daniel was best known for 2 things: his constant integrity (Daniel 6:4) and his unceasing prayerfulness (Daniel 2:17, 18; 6:16). I love Daniel 6:10, that when Daniel found out that he might be trapped by some evil men and sentenced to die in the lion’s den (the den was perhaps a pit below ground level which could be safely observed from above), he still prayed. His was a life of constant prayerfulness. Is mine? We all face danger in our spiritual warfare in which we are engaged daily. And even King Darius recognized that Daniel was a man of prayer: 

NKJV So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you."

And we in the 21st century ought to have a good reputation among outsiders. See Paul’s epistle for support. 

In one region of Africa, the first converts to Christianity were very diligent about praying. In fact, the believers each had their own special place outside the village where they went to pray in solitude. The villagers reached these “prayer rooms” by using their own private footpaths through the brush. When grass began to grow over one of these trails, it was evident that the person to whom it belonged was not praying very much.

Because these new Christians were concerned for each other’s spiritual welfare, a unique custom sprang up. Whenever anyone noticed an overgrown “prayer path,” he or she would go to the person and lovingly warn, “Friend, there’s grass on your path!” - RWD

Our Daily Bread, November 18, 1996

October 10 2021 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Grant Abbott Supporter Child of Father, Follower of Son, Student of Spirit

I think there are six important lessons we can learn from the life of Daniel.

Lesson 1 – Take a Stand
But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way (Daniel 1:8).
But there are some Jews whom you have set over the affairs of the province of Babylon—Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego—who pay no attention to you, Your Majesty. They neither serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:12). 
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before (Daniel 6:10).

Lesson 2 – Trust in God
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. 17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up (Daniel 3:16-18).

Lesson 3 – Power of Prayer
Then Daniel returned to his house and explained the matter to his friends Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. He urged them to plead for mercy from the God of heaven concerning this mystery, so that he and his friends might not be executed with the rest of the wise men of Babylon. During the night the mystery was revealed to Daniel in a vision. Then Daniel praised the God of heaven and said: “Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his. He changes times and seasons; he deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning. He reveals deep and hidden things; he knows what lies in darkness, and light dwells with him. I thank and praise you, God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power, you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king” (Daniel 2:17-23).

Lesson 4 – Passion for God’s Plan
in the first year of his reign, I, Daniel, understood from the Scriptures, according to the word of the LORD given to Jeremiah the prophet, that the desolation of Jerusalem would last seventy years. So I turned to the Lord God and pleaded with him in prayer and petition, in fasting, and in sackcloth and ashes (Daniel 9:2-3).
Now, our God, hear the prayers and petitions of your servant. For your sake, Lord, look with favor on your desolate sanctuary. Give ear, our God, and hear; open your eyes and see the desolation of the city that bears your Name. We do not make requests of you because we are righteous, but because of your great mercy. Lord, listen! Lord, forgive! Lord, hear and act! For your sake, my God, do not delay, because your city and your people bear your Name (Daniel 9:17-19).

Lesson 5 – Use God’s gifts
To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds (Daniel 1:17).

Lesson 6 – Influence the World for God
Then the king placed Daniel in a high position and lavished many gifts on him. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and placed him in charge of all its wise men. Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court (Daniel 2:48-49).
It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom (Daniel 6:1-3).

January 04 2019 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Jeffrey Johnson Supporter

What should we learn from the life of Daniel?

The life of Daniel teaches us how to maintain unwavering integrity and faith in a secular world. Key lessons include staying true to your convictions without compromising, practising disciplined prayer, and pursuing excellence in your daily work while honouring God.

Daniel famously resolved not to defile himself with the king's rich food and wine, showing that you can navigate challenging environments while maintaining your moral boundaries.

Even when a decree made prayer illegal, Daniel continued to pray three times a day, highlighting the importance of unwavering devotion regardless of the consequences.

Daniel served faithfully under pagan kings by doing his work with excellence and treating his adversaries with tact and respect.

He boldly declared the power of God to kings and emperors while consistently giving God the credit for his own wisdom and ability.

Each of us today who is determined to maintain integrity in an alien world does well to consider the fine example of Daniel and his three companions. 

No matter how vicious the threat, they continued to live by divine principles. 

When their lives were in peril, Daniel acted "with counsel and sensibleness" and with respect for the king's superior authority. (2:14-16) When the issue was forced, the three Hebrews preferred the burning fiery furnace to idolatry, and Daniel preferred the lions' den to forgoing his privilege of prayer to God. 

In each instance, Daniel's God granted protection. (3:4-6, 16-18, 27; 6:10, 11, 23) Daniel himself provides a splendid example of prayerful reliance on his God.​—2:19-23; 9:3-23; 10:12.

How can we develop courage like Daniel today? What do we need to do? 

Our parents may urge us to be courageous, but they cannot pass this quality on to us as if it were a family heirloom. 

Gaining courage is like learning a new skill. One way you can master the skill is by closely watching the instructor's actions and then copying his example. 

Similarly, we learn to be courageous by closely observing how others demonstrate this quality and then following their example. 

So, what can we learn from Daniel? 

Like Daniel, we need to know God's Word well. 

We must form a close bond with God by talking to him freely and often. 

And we need to trust in God, being convinced that we have his backing as Daniel did. 

Then, when our faith is tested, we will be courageous.

The prophet Daniel set an excellent example of being trustworthy. Although he had been taken into captivity by the Babylonians, he soon earned a reputation as a man who could be trusted.

With Daniel's example in mind, we do well to ask ourselves: 

'What reputation do I have outside of my place of worship? 

Am I known as someone who fulfils his responsibilities and who can be trusted?'

Why should we reflect on those questions? 

Because when we do, we will bring praise to God for being trustworthy.

Conclusion:

Daniel's story is a masterclass in integrity, resilience, and spiritual clarity in a world that constantly pressures people to compromise. 

Daniel's defining trait is that he refused to bend his convictions, even when doing so would have made his life easier.

He didn't protest loudly or act self-righteous; he lived his values consistently.

Why it matters:

Integrity is not proven in comfort—it is proven when compromise is convenient. 

Daniel shows that quiet, steady faithfulness has enormous power.

Daniel teaches that hope is not optimism; it is confidence in God's long-term plan even when the present looks bleak.

If you could write Daniel's life into one sentence, it might be like this:

"Live with integrity, trust God boldly, and stay faithful even when the world pressures you to compromise."

July 06 2026 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report