This is part Two of a message from Book of Daniel.

The Bible is not just a great book to read, or take up shelf space, it an Exciting Book to glean and learn from. Many call it the Manufactures Handbook, with is made of of 66 smaller books. Each of these books has a message for each one of us, and the Book of Daniel is no different. The Book of Daniel is a large book in itself, thus we have broken it into two parts.

With all the complexities in Daniel. Daniel conveys a simple message, God is in control of history and the people who stay faithful to Him may suffer, but never will be defeated.

Daniel dares to be different.

When we begin with the stories of Daniel, and his friends we discover in them spiritual truths, these truths are inspirational for anyone whose faith is tested.

Daniel and his friends are taken into captivity in Babylon.

He and his friends had a big decision to make, either fit in with the Babylonian society and make the best of the situation, or retain the identity that there as God followers, which meant they could possibly face dire consequences.

Daniel was a disciplined person. Daniel 1 verse 8 Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king’s food or with the wine he drank, so he asked permission from the Chief official not to defile himself.

Daniel and his friends were chosen to live in the king’s palace. Young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. (Daniel 1 v4).

Daniel serving in the king’s palace could have ended when he requested not to eat or drink the king’s food.

One of the reasons Daniel refused to eat the king’s food was to a Jew eating someone’s food was a sign of friendship and acceptance.

Daniel and his friends had no option but to work for the king, but they could display character of their beliefs.

Daniel told the official if they let them eat the food they wanted to eat, they would be better than the others who ate the king’s food.

Daniel 1 verse 20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding that the king consulted them about, he found them 10 times better than all the divine priests and mediums in the entire kingdom.

Babylon speaks of the world. It is amazing when one follows God’s way how much better it is and how much better you are for it.

Daniel interprets (Nebuchadnezzar’s dream)

Everybody dreams, our minds are active even when we are unconscious. Dreams interpretation was big business in the ancient world.

King Nebuchadnezzar called all his interpreters when he had a distraught night.

Daniel succeeded where all the other failed, giving God the credit for the revelation pf the dream Daniel 2 verse 19.

This and other passages in the Bible does not mean that all dreams are from heaven. They may teach us something about ourselves and our relationship with God and other people, but they may also be nothing more than the rambling of a mind, catching up with the complexities of life.

Learn from your dreams if you can but don’t try to build too much into them, unless the Lord gives you great promptings to do so, then tell them to someone in the faith you respect.

Daniel’s interpretations were for a purpose.

Daniel interpreted the dreams after which King Nebuchadnezzar says to Daniel,

Your God indeed is the God of God, Lord of Kings. Daniel 2 verse 47

Daniel 2 verse 48 Then the king promoted Daniel and gave him many gifts. He made him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and Chief Governor over all the wise man.

We will conclude this part study of Daniel but  there is a lot more excitement from the Book of Daniel, which is available for all to Glean.

One of the most encouraging aspects of Daniel is; Daniel dares to be different.

May we all learn to be more disciplined in our walk. with Our Lord and Our Friend,  and Dare to be Different. in the efficiencies, He has provided for us.

God bless

O F J