Daniel the Faithful Captive

So now we come to where Daniel is taken to Babylon with three other guys to train to be in the kings court (nebuchadnezzar). Here they get their names changed byt the King. Daniel (Beltechazzar), Hananiah (sharach), Mishel (Meshach) and Azariah (Abenego). Daniel was ready to serve but not at the cost of defiling himself and his Jewish laws. He was respectful and talked to the cheif official for permission with a test of 10 days. If they were not still healthy eating only veggies, then they would eat the kings food. Of course they were in top condition. And of course they were the smartest, bestest and the favorite of the king. Unlike most of us, Daniel was un-willing to abandon his commitment to God in order to get along with the others. i love that commitment!

Now the king has a dream and puts it upon his magicians etc to tell him not only the interpretation but also the dream. As they all tell him that only a god can do that he tells them they will all die if they do not tell him the dream and the interpretation. When they can not he is about ready to kill them when Daniel steps up and says he will pray to God and be able to tell him. Of course as good as God is, he give Daniel a vision and the interpretation as well as the dream is revealed to the king. With this the king is so impressed he quickly makes Daniel a big official in his kingdom. Daniel did not panic when he thought that everyone was going to die at the hand of the king. He turned to God knowing that there was no limit to Gods understanding and power. We can learn to do just that when faced with something fearful in our lives.