How to Learn From the Life of Daniel in the Old Testament

The Old Testament prophet Daniel went through a lot in his life, and he walked with God--through good times and bad. We can learn a lot from his life. There may be many lessons concerning prophecy in the great book of Daniel, but we will see instead what we can learn about our everyday life from this man.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

1. Read Daniel chapters 1, 2,5, and 6 and pray for God to help you understand and learn. From these passages we can learn that God is always with us--if we have trusted Him. Daniel and the other 3 young Hebrew men taken captive when Jerusalem was overrun went through a lot as believers in the true God. When Babylon overran Jerusalem, the believers in God were around idol worshippers and became slaves. They were around a new language and were taught a new way of life. Daniel and the others learned however, that God was with them--when the leader urged the Hebrews to eat food contrary to their beliefs, when others could not interpret the king' s dream, when Daniel's life was in danger because of his daily prayers to God, and God was with Daniel when he was asked to interpret dreams for a different king.

2. Learn from these passages that we should not be afraid of men and should stand up for what we believe. Daniel and the others were not afraid to reject the king's food and eat what they knew God wanted them to. When King Nebuchadnezzar threatened to kill the magicians, astrologers, and sorcerers in the land because they could not interpret his dream, Daniel was not afraid to interpret the dream--even though he was opening himself up to possibly die if he was wrong. When Daniel's life was in danger because he prayed to the God of heaven, he continued to pray to Him daily. Daniel was not afraid to tell King Belshazzar about God's upcoming judgment--even though to do so could have met Daniel's death.

3. Learn that God's power is always with us as believers. Daniel and the other 3 Hebrew children refused to eat the king's food--endangering themselves and the ruler over them, if the vegetables did not keep them healthy. God allowed their health to be even better than that of those eating the king's food. God showed his power in helping Daniel interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dreams. Daniel's life was spared in the lion's den by God. God also helped Daniel interpret King Belshazzar's dream, telling of God's judgment.

Tips & Warnings

• Always pray before you read any portion of the Bible, asking God to help you understand it.
• Ask God to show how the verses apply to your daily life.
• Take notes.