Maverick for Christናሙና

Daniel The Nonconformist

Daniel was a man of great character and discipline. He was of such great character that when King Nebuchadnezzar called for the smartest, most handsome, and most talented young men of Israel to be trained for his service, Daniel was one of the few chosen. Instructions were given for the elite men to have only choice food and wine selected by the king, Daniel instead asked for special permission to have a diet of vegetables and no wine. This was granted to Daniel, and because the Lord’s hand was on him, Daniel was favored above the other men. He especially won the king’s attention by interpreting his dreams when no other wise men could. Daniel revealed that the king’s dreams and interpretations were provided by his God - the only true God.

After King Nebuchadnezzar, his son King Belshazzar ruled. At this time, Daniel was still devout to the Lord and well-known to be so. King Belshazzar suffered an untimely death, then his successor made a new decree to set Daniel over 120 other leading men in the kingdom. The other men did not like this and plotted against Daniel, using his faith as a lure. They convinced the king to issue a decree that whoever prays to anyone except the king for 30 days shall be cast into the lion’s den. Daniel did not fail his God. He stood strong in faith, prayed as usual (with windows open), and was sentenced to be thrown into the lion’s den. The story doesn’t stop there, because the Lord was with Daniel, not one hair was harmed on his body. Daniel’s faithfulness and nonconformity turned several kings into believers of God.

Father God, help us to be like Daniel. We admire his ability to be unafraid of threats or ridiculous decrees. We pray that we can be more like Daniel with our faith and loyalty to You. Lord help us to keep our eyes on You when everything else seems to be against us. Thank you for Daniel, the nonconformist maverick who used his faith as a shield against the world. Help us remember Daniel and his examples the next time we face the lion of our lives. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.