Choose the right when everything is on the line. (Daniel 1-6)

1:8, 17, 20

We are all, at one time or another, tempted or pressured to lower our standards. Sometimes, it's about a large transgression. But, often, it's about something small and simple. We aren't pressured to rob a bank but may be pressured to enjoy a cocktail with friends or coworkers. The question is, do we give into the pressure?

Daniel and his friends didn't give in. "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself." Consider that this wasn't your average 'peer pressure.' This isn't your buddy tempting you to have a drink. This is rejecting food that the king has graciously offered. The consequence of this might actually be death!

With those stakes, how many of us would give in and eat the food. Especially seeing the other captive Israelites eating. How easy it would have been to simply eat. I have to imagine that they were hungry and the food was good. But, Daniel had made a commitment to God and wasn't going to lower his standards for any reason.

There were blessings connected to living according to the covenant he and the three others had made. "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." There were benefits to being obedient. "And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm."

The promises made to Daniel are the same made to us today. In D&C 89:19-21, we receive the same EXACT promise. "And shall find wisdom and great treasures of knowledge, even hidden treasures; And shall run and not be weary, and shall walk and not faint. And I, the Lord, give unto them a promise, that the destroying angel shall pass by them, as the children of Israel, and not slay them. Amen." We can receive learning and wisdom and know secrets - just like Daniel.

The key is to have the same commitment and fortitude as Daniel. No matter the situation, no matter how high the stakes, we must be loyal to the covenants we have made.

1:9

Part of the success here was due to God's involvement. "Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs." If God had not softened the heart of the 'prince of the eunuchs,' this story wouldn't have ended the way it did. We must always honor and give thanks for the many seen and unseen ways that the Lord guides our lives and paves our way.

2:9

I like how Nebuchadnezzar demonstrated his wisdom in ensuring that his advisors were actually receiving revelation. He did not want to divulge the dream. He knew that if he shared the dream that they would concoct some explanation that made sense. He didn't want their imaginations to deliver a reasonable explanation. He knew that it must come as a revelation from God.

"But if ye will not make known unto me the dream, there is but one decree for you: for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me, till the time be changed: therefore tell me the dream, and I shall know that ye can shew me the interpretation thereof." If they could describe the actual dream, then it must have been revealed to them by God. Nebuchadnezzar was no fool.

2:17-23

Daniel asked for time to receive revelation about Nebuchadnezzar's dream. "Then Daniel went to his house, and made the thing known to Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, his companions: That they would desire mercies of the God of heaven concerning this secret; that Daniel and his fellows should not perish with the rest of the wise men of Babylon." I'm sure they urgently prayed together expecting an answer to their prayer.

I'm picturing that they were fervently praying. Their lives were on the line. They had great faith and, I'm sure, expected an answer. It didn't come while praying. "Then was the secret revealed unto Daniel in a night vision. Then Daniel blessed the God of heaven." Daniel finally received the revelation after he went to sleep.

I imagine they were stressed. They went to bed worrying what would happen. I'm sure that they may have thought that the revelation wasn't coming. I may have been sick with worry. I may have lost faith. They obviously didn't.

Daniel's faith was unwavering. "Daniel answered and said, Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his." Daniel believed that God could do anything. "And he changeth the times and the seasons: he removeth kings, and setteth up kings: he giveth wisdom unto the wise, and knowledge to them that know understanding: He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him." If God can control the seasons, he can certainly reveal the content and interpretation of a dream.

Do we ever, consciously or unconsciously, put limits on the Lord? We ought not to. There is no miracle our of his ability to perform. I personally need more faith in this.

Daniel fully expected a miracle and then was grateful after. "I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king’s matter." Daniel doesn't suffer from any degree of pride. He wants to give all glory to God.

2:28, 47

It would have been in Daniel's interest to take credit for this interpretation. He could see it as a way to have more power and authority over Babylon. I would have been tempted to think that, if the king viewed me as a superstar, I could have more influence over the entire kingdom. Daniel wasn't tempted by this. "But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days."

By giving credit to God, he helped Nebuchadnezzar understand the importance and power of God. Planting this seed of faith and truth would be much more beneficial than gaining credibility with the king. "The king answered unto Daniel, and said, Of a truth it is, that your God is a God of gods, and a Lord of kings, and a revealer of secrets, seeing thou couldest reveal this secret." Instead of promoting faith in Daniel, Daniel was inspiring faith in God.

If we were all this way when we accomplish anything, more people would have faith in God. If we pointed all accolades and credit heavenward, we would be helping others build trust and faith in God. What's greater than that?

2:38-43

Daniel explains the meaning of each section of the vision. I've read what each part means:

• Head of gold: Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon.

• Breast and arms of silver: Persia

• Belly and thighs of brass: Greece

• Legs of iron: Rome

• Feet part of iron and part of stone: Rome/Roman Catholic.

2:35, 44-45

"The stone was cut out of the mountain without hands...and the stone that smote the image became a great mountain, and filled the whole earth." This is describing the church of the latter-days. This church will roll forward until it fills the entire earth. Nothing can stop it.

We've witnessed this firsthand. In the missionary department, we were central in building a mentor program for the senior MLS missionaries. We felt essential. However, several months ago, we turned the program over to another missionary couple who have taken it even further. We saw how the church moves forward and expands regardless of what human is involved. God is in control of this church and no level of human incompetence can frustrate the work of God!

It's important to know that this latter-day church will not fall into apostasy. "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever." The Lord's church will not ever become corrupt. No other group of people is going to need to take the reins. This is a comforting thought that confirms my faith in this great church!

3:1

Nebuchadnezzar was like most men I think. He was given explicit examples of the true and only God. He had seen Daniel interpret an unknown dream. You'd think he'd be astounded and feel loyal (at least fearful) to God. Perhaps he was like this for a time - but it didn't last. "Nebuchadnezzar the king made an image of gold, whose height was threescore cubits, and the breadth thereof six cubits: he set it up in the plain of Dura, in the province of Babylon."

It shows that amazing miracles do not truly convert.

3:17-18

Shadrach, Meshach and Abed-nego were unwilling to fall down and worship the statue. Even when confronted by the king, they explained that their God could save them but they definitely were not going to worship an image. "If it be so, our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thine hand, O king. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."

It's important to note that their faith wasn't based on whether they were saved or not. They knew that God could save them but may choose not too. It didn't affect the love for and faith in God. Whether they were saved or not, they were not going to worship some other God. Brave, faithful men.

By the way, it's possible that their strength to remain loyal to God was inspired by their refusing the king's food. We all build the ability to avoid big temptations by avoiding small ones. Our loyalty to God is built line upon line.

They expressed their faith in their God and reminded the king, to his face, that they would never worship this golden image. We have to admire their commitment. They were true disciples of God.

3:28-29

They survived their time in the furnace. They didn't even smell like smoke when they emerged from the furnace. Nebuchadnezzar also witnessed a fourth person with the three men. He saw that the fourth "is like the Son of God."

This experience convinced Nebuchadnezzar that their God was a true God. "Then Nebuchadnezzar spake, and said, Blessed be the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, who hath sent his angel, and delivered his servants that trusted in him, and have changed the king’s word, and yielded their bodies, that they might not serve nor worship any god, except their own God. Therefore I make a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort."

When we demonstrate faith and commitment to God, we never know what kind of impact that will have. It may not be as astounding as impressing a king - but it may be the reason someone joins or returns to this church. Much good can come from us simply following the gospel that we believe in. Being an example is the strongest influence that we can have on others. What we do matters much more than what we say.

4:25, 30

Nebuchadnezzar was a narcissist. I think many of us would be narcissistic if we were in his position. He had all power. He could command others to do anything he wanted. Of course one would believe that he was the center of the universe if it appeared that way.

He demonstrates this hubris when he said, "Is not this great Babylon, that I have built for the house of the kingdom by the might of my power, and for the honour of my majesty?"

He needed everything to be stripped of him to be reminded of who is really in charge of things. "That they shall drive thee from men, and thy dwelling shall be with the beasts of the field, and they shall make thee to eat grass as oxen, and they shall wet thee with the dew of heaven, and seven times shall pass over thee, till thou know that the most High ruleth in the kingdom of men, and giveth it to whomsoever he will."

It would be better if we could be humbled without losing everything.

4:27

Daniel attempted to influence the king. "Wherefore, O king, let my counsel be acceptable unto thee, and break off thy sins by righteousness, and thine iniquities by shewing mercy to the poor; if it may be a lengthening of thy tranquillity." How many of us receive counsel that we blow off? I know I've ignored my fair share of good advice. It's pride I guess.

I like the phrase "break off thy sins by righteousness." Breaking off sins isn't just about stopping the sin - it is about replacing it with goodness. Righteousness takes up space in our being. If we fill our souls with righteousness, any desire to sin will wither.

Perhaps some of us are attempting to stop a particular sin by focusing our willpower. That probably won't work. Instead, we must pour effort into doing things that are righteous. We should fill our time with study, service, worship, family history, honest work, recreation with our families, maintaining our homes.

Sin lives in vacuums of time. Sin flourishes in idleness. But we can break the cycle of sin by introducing different forms of righteousness.

4:34-37

It appears that Nebuchadnezzar learns his lesson for now. "And at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted up mine eyes unto heaven, and mine understanding returned unto me, and I blessed the most High, and I praised and honoured him that liveth for ever, whose dominion is an everlasting dominion, and his kingdom is from generation to generation: And all the inhabitants of the earth are reputed as nothing: and he doeth according to his will in the army of heaven, and among the inhabitants of the earth: and none can stay his hand, or say unto him, What doest thou?" He realizes his nothingness as compared to God.

It's good that he sees that his understanding being returned. Seeing things from the right perspective is key to understanding reality. We can all live in our own personal 'reality distortion field' if we get too far into ourselves.

It required seven years for his understanding to return and to be humbled. I could see his nothingness when compared with God. "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth, and his ways judgment: and those that walk in pride he is able to abase."

All of us who are prideful can be humbled pretty quickly. Our health can leave us in an instant. Our money can be lost. Our houses burned down. Our friends leave us. It's not pleasant to endure. But, for many of us, it's required to humble us.

I am attempting to maintain my humility in my current condition so I don't have to go through a process like Nebuchadnezzar...

5:6

We all have the light of Christ. It is what guides the billions that do not enjoy the companionship of the Holy Ghost. It also allows people to know what is true and what isn't. It provides a moral compass. When people sin, they are ignoring the promptings they receive from the light of Christ. I think this happened to Belshazzar when the hand wrote words upon the wall.

"Then the king’s countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another." He knew that what he was doing was wrong before the hand appeared. He didn't know what the words meant but he obviously didn't think it was a birthday message.

There are things like this that happen in our lives that can serve as course corrections. It may be that we are buying liquor and, on our way out, we run into the bishop. It may be we hear a church song as we go boating on Sunday. Sometimes events like this can shock us back into reality. Suddenly, we see our behavior objectively and we snap out of whatever spiritual fugue we were in.

5:14

"I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee." Belteshazzar wasn't ignorant. No doubt his father had told him all about Daniel and the power of God that was with him. He just chose to ignore all of that as he satisfied the natural man inside of him.

5:17

"Then Daniel answered and said before the king, Let thy gifts be to thyself, and give thy rewards to another; yet I will read the writing unto the king, and make known to him the interpretation." I love that Daniel wasn't impressed with the clothes, jewelry and power that the king offered him. Would I be the same?

5:18

Daniel was fearless in declaring who was actually the source of all power. "O thou king, the most high God gave Nebuchadnezzar thy father a kingdom, and majesty, and glory, and honour." It is a brave thing to explain to a king that he isn't the one who is earned the power he has. Daniel is always pointing others to God as the only source of power.

5:20-21

Daniel gives him a warning by explaining what happened to Nebuchadnezzar. "But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him: And he was driven from the sons of men; and his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild asses: they fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven; till he knew that the most high God ruled in the kingdom of men, and that he appointeth over it whomsoever he will."

I do not desire to learn this lesson of humility in this way. I need to keep my heart humble and my mind open to the fact that all that I have was given to me by God. There are many men who are more righteous, more talented, more industrious - who don't have all of the blessings that I have. I didn't earn the blessings of my life. They were given to me by a generous Father. I remind myself every day that I am dependent and indebted to him.

I don't want to be kicked out of my house and life to learn a lesson of humility!

5:27

"TEKEL; Thou art weighed in the balances, and art found wanting." We don't want to hear this.

Our lives are unique. Everyone will be judged based on his or her unique experiences. The scale is always honest and unique to us. God knows our situation and what we are capable of.

Some will be held more accountable than others. It is always fair. If we don't live according to what we've been given, we will be found wanting. My scale isn't the same as someone in China who does not know the name Jesus Christ. He will not experience the same accountability that I do. In the scales of his non-Christian life, he may not be found wanting. He did the best that he could in his situation.

The one side of our scale is perfectly balanced according to the unique situation we are in.

6:3-4

"Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm." King Darius loved Daniel. He was preferred because of who he was. Darius likely felt the Spirit and saw the light emanating from Daniel. Daniel's mind was quickened by the Spirit which made him wise and a good counselor to the king.

Of course, pride and jealousy ruled the other leaders. "Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him." Daniel's life was so pure, there was no traps they could set for him that would lead to his downfall. Don't we all want to be this way?

They knew that they were stuck. "Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God." They knew that his only weakness was his loyalty to God. They realized that they could use this against him. I want to be like Daniel where someone attempting to trap me could rely on my faithfulness for their strategy. They could count on Daniel's fidelity to God.

6:10

As predicted, no law was going to get between Daniel and his God. "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime." He was not going to allow any man, even the king, to become a wedge between him and his God.

Daniel's perspective is so good. His love for God is so obvious. He was willing to risk death to continue to worship God. He was so grateful to his God that he was never going to stop praying to him and thanking him.

6:16

Even Darius could see the bond between Daniel and his God. "Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee." Darius was relying on God protecting his friend Daniel. This is a demonstration of faith on the part of Darius and an example of how a good man can inspire others to be good men.

Daniel's faith in God encouraged Darius's faith.

6:22

Daniel was protected. "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me." The point is, even if he was torn limb from limb, it wouldn't affect his faith in God.

Sometimes, bad things happen to good people. Abinadi wasn't spared the burning even though he was innocent. We've got to get to a point in our faith that, come what may, we have faith in God that every experience will be for our good.

6:26

Our example matters. Daniel's faith affected the king. "I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end." Because of the faith of Daniel, Darius became a believer. He understood that Daniel's God was the only LIVING God. He understood that his kingdom was actually God's kingdom. He understood that God was in control - not him.

We can have an impact on the people around us. Through our example, more than our words, we can be a positive influence on others. We can turn others' hearts to God. It is important that we point all glory heavenward. We are not the hero of our story. God and Jesus Christ are the heroes. We should remind others of this anytime praise is heaped upon us.