Daniel and the Lion’s Den

Before Babylon conquered Jerusalem, God warned His people through prophets like Isaiah, Zephaniah, Habakkuk, and Jeremiah. But Judah ignored the warnings. Idolatry, injustice, and empty religion filled the land, so judgment came in three waves over nineteen years. In the first, Babylon took the temple treasures and the best young men—including Daniel. Surrounded by compromise, Daniel chose to stand firm. "Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself…” (Daniel 1:8) God honored Daniel’s faith at the king’s table—but that was only the beginning. When Nebuchadnezzar demanded an interpretation for his troubling dream, Daniel prayed, and God revealed it. A pagan king bowed before a faithful exile. "The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret.” (Daniel 2:47) From teen exile to faithful elder, Daniel’s life was marked by courage and integrity. And in one of his greatest tests, we find three powerful lessons still relevant today.