The first six chapters of the Book of Daniel describe Daniel’s interactions with the kings and leaders of the pagan empires in which he found himself. Daniel was torn from his home and family as a young man and taken to Babylon where he was pressed into the service of the King. He and his friends were repeatedly forced to choose loyalty to God or to the gods of the surrounding culture. The book of Daniel provides incredibly valuable insight for us as we seek to live out our faith in a decaying culture.
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When In Babylon
Daniel 1
May 29, 2016
by Dan White
The story of Daniel begins with Nebuchadnezzar destroying the city of Jerusalem. Nebuchadnezzar took Daniel and three other young men to Babylon to serve in his palace. Their names are changed, beginning a process of indoctrination into the language, customs and religion of Babylon. At times, Daniel and his friends must have felt as if God had abandoned them, and yet they lived as if God was still very much alive and in control of their lives.
Daniel 2
June 5, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
Daniel Chapter two is a study in contrasts. On the one hand, you have a king who believes that the world revolves around him, and yet he is brought to his knees by a dream. On the other hand, you have Daniel, a humble servant of God who refuses to take credit for the interpretation, who ends up being exalted to the second-highest position in the Kingdom. It's a good to reminder that only one Kingdom will ultimately endure.
Daniel 3
June 12, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
So many times in life, our moral choices are driven by fear. We compromise our principles because we fear what man can do to us, rather than what God might do for us. When faced with the order to worship the image of King Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel's friends had to choose between a moral compromise that protected them from the king or trusting God and stepping into the unknown. Who is more worthy of respect – God or man?
Daniel 4
June 19, 2016
by Paul McGuinness
In our world, pride is looked upon as irritating at worst and at best maybe a virtue, even in the church. Although churches will sometimes discipline members for sexual sins, financial wrongdoing, and maybe even divisiveness, most churches have never disciplined anyone for pride. The fourth chapter of Daniel finds King Nebuchadnezzar, once again, at odds with the God of the universe. Given the chance to show humility, Nebuchadnezzar chooses to hold to his pride and learns the hard way that God will humble the proud.
Daniel 5
June 26, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
During the final days of the Babylonian Empire, King Belshazzar was having a wild party in the palace. The party is interrupted when a hand mysteriously appears and writes three words on the wall. Daniel is the only man in the kingdom who is capable of translating these words. The translation is a prophetic message to the king telling of his imminent end. Belshazzar chose to ignore Nebuchadnezzar's humbling by God and it cost him his kingdom and his life.
Daniel 6
July 3, 2016
by Mark Stuenzi
Daniel Chapter 6 opens with a new king and a new kingdom. Despite re-establishing himself as a respected leader, Daniel still faces opposition from other government officials. King Darius is tricked into signing an order to outlaw prayer. Daniel is met with the choice between worshipping God or obeying the king. Daniel again provides a great example of living with integrity before God and man, and trusting God with the outcome.