Day 256 - Daniel 4-7

ONE-YEAR JOURNEY OF THE BIBLE
Day 256 - Daniel 4-7 (The Influence of One Godly Life)
(To View Past Posts Click: http:/tonyvicreyes1-yearbible.blogspot.com/ )

"Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you.  I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. 
        For He is the living God, 
        And steadfast forever; 
        His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, 
        And His dominion shall endure to the end. 
        He delivers and rescues, 
        And He works signs and wonders 
        In heaven and on earth, 
        Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian."  (Daniel 6:25-28) 

I have read the book of Daniel several times but it wasn't until now that I have truly appreciated the character of the man whom the angel Gabriel said of him that he was "greatly beloved of God."  Daniel was also among the three persons mentioned by God through the prophet Ezekiel along with Noah and Job as being the most righteous persons who ever lived.

It is no less than remarkable that one man, in the person of Daniel, was used by God to influence the world through not just one but eight kings including, Nebuchadnezzar, Darius, the Mede, and Cyrus, the Persian. In the case of Nebuchadnezzar, Daniel told the king his dream and its interpretation thus saving the lives of his fellow advisors to the king.  

God also used Daniel to interpret another dream of Nebuchadnezzar which was a warning from God to humble himself and acknowlege God as God or he would be turned like unto an animal for seven years which was exactly what happened because the king refused to heed God's warning.  After that, King Nebu as I have fondly nicknamed him), acknowleged God throughout all his dominion.

I have time just tio mention one more highlight in the life of Daniel.  During the reign of king Darius and shortly after he took the kingdom from Belshazzar after the night of the famous handwriting on the wall by the hand of God, the other officials became jealous of Daniel's position and infuence that they plotted againts him resulting in his being thrown in the lion's den.  God shut the mouths of the lions and Daniel was restored to his position as the king's loyal friend and advisor.

I can go on and on about Daniel's influence including his prophecies about the future events leading up to the culmination of history when Jesus returns to establish His kingdom on earth and defeat Satan; Daniel's leadership as personal advisor to the kings; his influence on his friends who refused to compromise their faith but rather chose to be thrown into the fiery furnace; and so forth.  The person who reads the book of Daniel will profit tremendously from the lessons learned from the life of this godly person who was greatly beloved by God.

As for me, Daniel has become one of my top heroes of faith and I pray to God that I might grow further in my character to become more like Daniel.  Like Daniel, I hope to become uncompromising in my faith; fearless of the consequences of obeying God rather than man; bold in proclaiming God's truth despite the danger of persecution or even death; and fierce loyalty to my authority whom God has placed over me. How about you?  Has the life of Daniel inspired you?  If not, perhaps you need to read about his life more closely.