EXCEPTIONAL QUALITIES TO LEARN FROM DANIEL

To commemorate youth month last year, I wrote about Daniel and this year I decided to revisit the life of Daniel, and I was prompted to pen four pillars of greatness that I have identified in the life of Daniel and I find them to be still relevant even today. As a young  person live your life intentionally, do not just live your life aimlessly, as you do that do not fear, our first hint of Daniel’s greatness comes in his refusal to give up his convictions, he had applied God’s will to his own life.

Excellence 

Most of the time the life that you choose to live in your youth determines the life you will have as an older person, we see Daniel having self-control, taking care of himself spiritually and physically, excelling in everything that he was doing  and that distinguished him among his peers and this continued to make him noticeable as an adult.

Daniel 6: ³ Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

At this time Daniel was over 80 years old and one of Darius’s top three administrators. Daniel was working with those who did not believe in his God, but he worked more efficiently and capably than all the rest. Thus, he attracted the attention of the pagan king and earned a place of respect. I do not know where you are at right now, but do not stop doing good because in due time you will be rewarded. you could be doing something which is not your ideal job, but I say do it diligently and responsibly because, sometimes your promotion may depend on how well are you going to do your current job.

Trusting in God

Daniel 6:23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

The person who trusts in God and obeys his will is untouchable until God takes him or her. To trust God is to have immeasurable peace. God, who delivered Daniel, will deliver you, do you trust him with your life?

Trust him with everything, believe that he is concerned about every sphere of your life, it could be your career, finances, relationships, or your well-being, commit all your concerns to God he will make a way for you. Start now as a young person to trust in God, trusting God chases away fear, Daniel did not abandon his faith because of the Lions, God is bigger than the lion that is looking at you right now, trust him even when you do not see your way out.

Jeremiah 17:7 “But blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord, whose confidence is in him.⁸ They will be like a tree planted by the water that sends out its roots by the stream. It does not fear when heat comes; its leaves are always green. It has no worries in a year of drought and never fails to bear fruit.”

But those who trust in the Lord will have abundant strength, not only for their own needs, but even for the needs of others. Are you satisfied with being unfruitful, or do you like a well -watered tree, have strength for the time of crisis?  Daniel had strength to remain true to his faith in a foreign land as a young man, he had strength to survive the lion’s den.

Living Prayerfully

Do not wait until you are in a tough situation to learn about prayer.

Daniel6:  ¹⁰ Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. 

He was on his knees three times a day, even after they have published a decree that prevented him from praying, he still did pray, my advice to you young person out there start now developing an open, honest relationship with the Lord, this habit will serve you now and in the future. Communicate your struggles, shortfalls, weakness, all your challenges, let God know about them so that he can deliver you, thank him for your victories even those that you are trusting him for.

Having no Fear

They say fear is false evidence appearing real, and in my life I have proven that to be true,  the bible tells us that we are not given a spirit of fear but of love of power and of sound mind , Fear is not from God but from the enemy ( Devil) , he does not want us to flourish , that is why as a young person you may find it difficult to be yourself, being yourself is what will bring honour to you.

Doing all that have been mentioned above will automatically remove fear, when fear comes, do not stop to do what you intended to do, never on any day allow fear to short-circuit you, you have been doing it but now it has to stop. Fear will rob you of the opportunities, you will not see them, because it blinds people.

Daniel 10:19 “Do not be afraid, you who are highly esteemed,” he said. “Peace! Be strong now; be strong.” When he spoke to me, I was strengthened and said, “Speak, my lord, since you have given me strength.”

Absence of fear will help you: to make bold decisions, to hear instructions, to say things you should say and to live out your greatness.

———————————————————–Stay Blessed———————————————————-