Daniel, A Kingdom Culture Shaper

Daniel is a second great Biblical example of the kind of believer we are describing. Daniel was an exile from Judah who was brought as a young man to Babylon in one of the early deportations around the 580s BC. He quickly gained the eye of the king himself, Nebuchadnezzar, when he interpreted a dream that he had. From there on, Daniel rose in power and authority within the Babylonian kingdom and then later the Medo-Persian kingdom.

He was perhaps the single most powerful and influential man of his day and a major world player. He shaped the minds of kings and the policies of kingdoms and several of the kings he served actually bowed their knees and served the God of Daniel in many ways.

Things we see in Daniel are:

• An uncompromising life in the midst of evil and wicked laws and customs. Daniel asked permission not to defile himself with unclean foods at the outset of the story. His friends refused to bow to the statue of Nebuchadnezzar and were arrested and persecuted for it. Daniel himself refused to quit praying when ordered and the same happened to him. Here, we see a man who would obey the laws of his new land in every regard unless they required him to disobey God and His way.
• A bold faith giving glory and honor to God in all things.
• The use of supernatural gifts in solving complex issues of national importance.
• Great wisdom in dealing with the problems of his day.
• A true love of and stewardship life toward these men he served. It must be noted that many of these men were evil to the core, worshiped demons and even believed themselves to be gods.

Reflection Question

How are you shaping the culture you are in?

*Want more? This plan came from Prepare International's course on "Kingdom Influence"*