Daniel answered the king, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or diviners can show to the king the mystery that the king is asking, but there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries …” (Daniel 2:27-28)
The book of Daniel takes place early in the Jewish captivity in Babylon by King Nebuchadnezzar in 605 B.C. Daniel lived for approximately 60 years under several kings.
The book is famous for two stories popular for Sunday School materials. One is the proclamation of King Nebuchadnezzar to have anyone who does not fall down and worship him, the king, to be thrown into a furnace of blazing fire. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego who refused to worship anyone other than God, were thrown into the fire, but were saved, “the hair of their heads was not singed, their tunics were not harmed, and not even the smell of fire came from them.” God had saved them. It was a turning point for the king who declares,
“Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, who has sent his angel and delivered his servants who trusted in him. They disobeyed the king’s command and yielded up their bodies rather than serve and worship any god except their own God.” (Daniel 3:25-29)
Later in the story (be sure to read it yourself), there is a conspiracy against Daniel by the presidents and satraps, his peers, to get rid of him. Faced with a Lion’s Den, once more God saves Daniel: “No kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” Once again a king, this time Darius, makes an edict for the God of Daniel to be recognized: “For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end.” (Daniel 6:26)
These stories emphasize the power of our own action when we stand on the side of God, never giving into human power or popularity. Over and over, we hear “BUT THERE IS A GOD” who reveals mysteries, who delivers life, who lives forever, and who works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth. We become not only a faithful servant of God but also a mighty witness for God so that others can see the God whom we know. Taking such a stance is not for the weak or the wishy-washy. It takes courage and trust in the very God upon whom we rely. But the results are worth the commitment!
In chapter 10, Daniel has a vision.
“A hand touched me and roused me to my hands and knees. He said to me, “Daniel, greatly beloved, pay attention to the words that I am going to speak to you. Stand on your feet, for I have now been sent to you…Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words have been heard, and I have come because of your words.” (Daniel 10:10-12)
Those are the words that God speaks to us also when we allow ourselves to be servants of God—prophets or missionaries or workers in a not so perfect world. I am not sure these stories are for children especially; but they are challenges for the mature and committed followers of God.