INTRODUCTION TO DANIEL(THE ETERNAL KINGDOM OF GOD) Daniel 2:20 (Key Verse) '...and said: 'Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are his.'' Daniel means 'God is the judge.' When he was 16 years old, he was taken to Babylon with king Jehoiakim when Nebuchadnezzar first invaded Jerusalem. He outlived three kingdoms and four kings until he was 85 years old at the time of King Chores of Persia. Daniel revealed that God is the Sovereign ruler of the world and history. God establishes Kingdoms and appoints and deposes kings. He judges the nations. Israel was destroyed because of her own sin and corruption. Yet God keeps his promises and protects his people. When Daniel and his friends kept their faith in God and won the victory through God's help in the furnace, and lion's den, God's name was highly exalted. The suffering people of God could gain strength and new hope in God. Through Daniel's vision God further revealed that history is moving toward the Messiah's coming and his second coming while the kingdoms of this world rise and perish. Daniel became a historical figure from being a war prisoner through his life of prayer and scripture-centered life. God made him like an everlasting shining star in the sky, who could predict the kingdom of God that is eternal.
DANIEL RESOLVED NOT TO DEFILE HIMSELF
1. Israel under Babylon (1-7)
Because of their many sins, the Lord delivered Israel into the hands of the king of Babylon. The king not only carried off treasures from the temple but also brought the best young men to the king's service. He gave them the best education with palace boarding room and delicious food. It looked very fortunate for those young men humanly. But the king changed their names such as Daniel (God is the judge) into Belteshazzar (Bel's prince). It was to assimilate them into Babylonian religion and culture while forgetting Jehovah God of Israel.
2. Daniel's decision of faith (8-21)
In such a tragic moment Daniel neither despaired, nor did he seek personal success. He rather believed in God as the Sovereign Lord of the history. He resolved to suffer to remain as God's chosen people rather than to be melted into Babylonian culture and religion. It was a risky decision. But God blessed his decision of faith: to get the favor from the chief of the court, and to be healthier eating just vegetables than all others who ate the royal food. God gave him knowledge and wisdom ten times better than all others. God used Daniel to glorify God's name not only in Babylon but in Medes and to King Cyrus of Persia.
Application: Lord, help me and our young men to resolve to keep our identity as God's people in this corrupt post-Christendom era and bless us to glorify God.
One Word: Resolve for God and blessed by God