Wednesday, March 26, 2008

The Character of Daniel

My wife, Kelli, is in a Beth Moore Bible study right now on the book of Daniel. Every time she watches the DVD and does the corresponding work, we have some pretty incredible conversations. I have read the book of Daniel many, many times. She was pulling out things that I hadn't heard in a while or never thought of. This morning I have spent some time reading the first six chapters of Daniel.

One of the things that jumped out at me more than anything else is the character of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. These are men after God's own heart. Time and time again they are given the opportunity to choose a different path than the will of God, but at every turn they are walking with God, even when it can cost them their lives. They take the narrow road. They always give God glory and never take it for themselves.

I love what people said about the character of Daniel. "The administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent." What a statement by a group of people who hated him. This made me realize that my true God-centered character is revealed by what people who don't love me or care for me say about me. It may come out negatively as did it against Daniel. But the root cause of it is because Daniel's heart and life was with God. That's right where I want to be.

2 comments:

Brenda said...

Great Bible study. I loved it when I did this one in 2006.

Sue said...

My favorite part of Daniel is that he RESOLVED not to eat of the king's table, but to follow the Lord. As a Ghanaian pastor pointed out to me, when you resolve to do (or not to do) something, the choice has been made. There is no "should I or shouldn't I...?"