Do You Know Jehovah as Did Noah, Daniel, and Job? - DANIEL SHOWED GODLY WISDOM IN PAGAN BABYLON

How Daniel came to know Jehovah. Daniel was evidently well-instructed by his parents, who taught him to love Jehovah and his written Word. Moreover, that love stayed with Daniel all his life.  Even in his old age, we find him poring over the Scriptures. (Daniel 9:1, 2)  Daniel's intimate knowledge of God, including God's dealings with Israel, is beautifully reflected in the prophet's heartfelt and contrite prayer recorded at Daniel 9:3-19. Why not take a few moments to read that prayer and meditate on it, taking special note of what it tells you about Daniel as a person?

How accurate knowledge of God benefited Daniel. For a faithful Jew, life in pagan Babylon presented big challenges.  For instance, Jehovah told the Jews: "Seek the peace of the city to which I have exiled you." (Jeremiah 29:7) Yet, at the same time, he required their exclusive devotion. (Exodus 34:14) What enabled Daniel to balance the two requirements?  God's wisdom helped him to grasp the principle of relative subjection to secular authorities.  Centuries later, Jesus taught the very same principle. - LUKE 20:25.

Consider what Daniel when an official decree forbade prayer to any god or man other than the king for 30 days. ( Daniel 6:7-10)  Daniel could have made several excuses, saying, 'Thirty days is not forever!' But he refused to let a loyal edict override his Scriptural obligations.  Of course, he could have prayed discreetly so as not to be observed. He knew that his daily customs was well-known. So while it mean risking his life, Daniel decided not to give even the impression that was compromising in his worship.

Jehovah blessed Daniel's conscientious and courageous decision by miraculously sparing him a cruel death. In fact, the outcome resulted in a marvelous witness for Jehovah that reached the farthest parts of the Medo-Persian Empire! - DANIEL 6:25-27. 

How to cultivate faith like Daniel's. The key to strong faith is not simply to read God's Word but to  'get the sense" of it. (Matthew 13:23)  We want  Jehovah's mind on matters, which includes grasping Bible principles. Hence, we need to meditate on what we read. Also important is regular heartfelt prayer, especially when we face trials or other challenging situations.  When we pray in faith for wisdom and strength, Jehovah will generally give them to us. - JAMES 1:5.


Next time: Do You Know Jehovah as Did Noah, Daniel, and Job? - JOB APPLIED GODLY PRINCIPLES IN GOOD TIMES AND BAD

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