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Have you ever been falsely accused of something because of your gifts and abilities? How did that make you feel?
Daniel was falsely accused of something because of his gifts and abilities. When the Babylonians took him captive, God gave him the ability to interpret dreams and reveal visions. This enabled him and his three friends to become top officials in the land.
Now, use your imagination, as we journey back through time to look at the Life Connection Story "Daniel."
(Story adapted from the book of Daniel.)
My name is Daniel. I am excited to share with you how God worked in my life.
Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, came to Jerusalem and captured our city with his army. I was one of several young Israeli men that he took back to Babylon to be trained to serve in his palace. He gave me the Babylonian name, Belteshazzar. My three friends were given the names Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. Because of my Jewish heritage, I did not want to eat the king's food and wine because it would make me ceremonially unclean. The person in charge agreed to let my three friends and me try our diet of vegetables and water for ten days. When he compared us to the others, we were healthier than all the other young men who ate the king's food.
Nebuchadnezzar had some dreams that bothered him so much he could not sleep. The fortunetellers, magicians, and wise men couldn't explain the dreams to him. They said that no one on the earth could do that! I told king Nebuchadnezzar that I could tell him what his dream meant-because God was with me. I asked my three friends to pray that God would reveal it to me. During the night, God explained the dream to me in a vision. I told the king that no man can do what he had asked, but the one, true God can explain secret things. I told him about God's Kingdom that will continue forever and never be destroyed. After I revealed the meaning of the dream, King Nebuchadnezzar fell face down on the ground and said, "God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets." The king put me in charge of all the wise men in Babylon.
Some time later, the king made a golden statue that stood ninety feet high and nine feet wide. He said that anyone who didn't bow down and worship the gold statue would be thrown into a fiery furnace. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego did not bow down to the statue because they served the one, true God. Nebuchadnezzar became very angry, but he gave them another chance to worship the statue. They said they did not need to defend themselves because they believed God was able to save them from the fire. But even if God chose not to deliver them, they would rather die than bow down to the statue. Have you ever had to stand up for your beliefs in a hard situation?
King Nebuchadnezzar was furious. He ordered the furnace to be heated seven times hotter than usual. The fire was so hot the flames killed the soldiers as they threw the three men into the furnace. Then Nebuchadnezzar said he saw four men walking around in the fire. They were not hurt, and the fourth man looked like the Son of God. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego came out of the furnace. The fire had not harmed them at all.
Years later, Darius became the new king of Babylon. He planned to put me in charge of the whole kingdom. The other supervisors and governors were jealous, so they looked for a way to keep me from that position. They told the king to make a law that no one should pray to any god except to the king or be thrown into the lion's den. Have you ever felt like you were being persecuted for your faith? That's how I felt in this situation. The men found me on my knees praying to God just as I had always done. They threw me into the lion's den. The next morning, the king called out to me in the lion's den. He was glad when I answered and said that God sent His angel to close the mouths of the lions. I was not injured.
We don't always understand God's ways, but He is always seeking to reveal Himself to us. We can be sure that even when we experience challenges and hardship, God is always there.
Let's thank God for all He has done and for His great love for us. Pray these words of praise to Him:
God, thank You that You can explain secret things. Your Kingdom will continue forever and never be destroyed. You are the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets. Thank You that I don't need to defend myself because I believe You are able to save me. Even if I am persecuted for my faith, You can send Your angel to "close the mouths of the lions." I don't always understand Your ways, but You are always seeking to reveal Yourself to me. I can be sure that even when I experience challenges and hardship, You are always there.
Use the book of Daniel and the Life Connection Story. They will help you complete your Life Connection Response.
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