Daniel is a book so rich, beautiful, and full of truth, that one could write many books focusing on each facet of this short, twelve-chapter long work of Scripture. The best that I can do is present some highlights that I pray would help you as you study God’s holy word, but do not let some of the fascinating and descriptive stories stop you from delving head-first and pulling blessings from it.
Daniel was a young man who practically grew up as an exile in a foreign land. Israel by this time had fallen and been destroyed by King Nebuchaddezar of Babylon. God’s people had refused to turn from their sin and therefore was taken captive by their conquerors into a strange country. Yet, although they had neither land nor temple nor human king ruling them, God never left them. He watched over them in their plight because as we will see below, God is always in control of everything. Let me say one more time with conviction: God is always in control of everything!
We may hear that basic statement and give a hearty “amen!” while at worship or in Bible study, but are we bold enough to hold to it when it seems like everything else is in power and control in today’s world except God? Well, let us turn to Daniel to not only discover God’s sovereign actions being revealed in history, but also how we can live confidently knowing He is just as much in control of today’s events.
Daniel had to struggle with thinking, “If God is truly in control, why is it that so many arrogant earthly rulers appear to be the ones in charge?” Eventually God showed Daniel dreams and visions to reveal exactly what would occur to these so-called “all-powerful” rulers who set themselves up against Him. One vision produced a great statue with four sections: a head of gold, shoulders and chest of silver, belly and thighs of bronze, and feet of iron mixed with clay. In this, Daniel eventually saw a boulder that was not cut by human hands, and it smashed the statue, showing this kingdom and its King will be forever! Another vision unveiled four beasts that were similar to the four sections of the previous statue and then a great ruler called “the Son of Man” brought judgment against them, and His kingdom will have no end! Not only would this divine Ruler reign supreme, but furthermore in Dan. 9 while Daniel is in prayer, acting like a priest and confessing the sins of his people, God shows him that one day in the future, there will be an end of sins, reconciliation, and a new era. Finally, in Dan. 12 there is a final vision in which the dead will live again, some to everlasting life and others to everlasting contempt. All of this points to one person: Jesus Christ, the Son of God. On the cross, all of the forces of evil and death threw everything at Him, and yet He conquered and now “all authority in heaven and on earth” has been given to Him. He is the forever King, the Judge, the one who makes makes forgiveness of sins possible by being the atonement. He is the Victor, by dying on the cross and rising again, He has trampled down death forever and we can have new life! We need not fear boastful, arrogant, or evil human rulers no matter how powerful they may seem, for there is a King among kings who is our Lord, Savior, and best friend.
This had to carry Daniel and his three friends through hardship as they had to learn to live as strangers in a strange land, and it can carry us too. Look at how God protected these men for their faithfulness. We know of the stories of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abendigo and how they survived the fiery furnace when they would not bow down to an idol. Yet, do we remember the fourth figure with “the appearance of a god” that was there in the furnace with the men? Do we not see this pointing to Jesus Christ, God-in-the-flesh delivering us in his love and protection from the fires of judgment and hardship? We know the story of Daniel in the lion’s den but do we not see how the noble “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” is our protector against “prowling lion”, the devil who seeks our destruction? Even in exile in a foreign world, Daniel and the other faithful members of God’s people take their place, bear witness to Him, and make a difference in their situations. In other words, they are “salt and light”. Today, we as Christians are called to be “in the world, but not of it”, not identical to it, but not cowering in fear because of it either. Instead, we must follow the Lord, the King of kings, Jesus Christ as He leads us and speak the good news of His authority, God’s authority, over all of creation. We must remain faithful to the truth, just as Daniel did, and show the world that there is one true Ruler, who grants freedom from sin, hope, joy, happiness, community, love, and so much more. He is Jesus Christ, always and forever, amen!
Your Brother,
Craig