Lesson From Daniel
Overcoming Adversity (Daniel 1:1-21)
In the first chapter of Daniel we are given some of the background for who Daniel was and where he came from. In this lesson we will look at who Daniel was where he came from and how he overcame adversity to become the man that he was.
Who was Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah?
These young men were descendants of the King of Judah (verse 3) who had been taken captive when Nebuchadnezzar besieged Jerusalem. This had been foretold by the Prophet Isaiah in 2 Kings 20:18. These young men go from being royalty to eunuchs and servants of the king of Babylon.
What Adversity did they have to deal with?
1) Circumstances that were not of their doing.
- As stated above they were prophesied to go into this captivity as a result of what Hezekiah and their forefathers had done.
- They were taken and made eunuchs against their will.
- In today’s world everyone is a victim. If ever there were victims it would be these young men. But we never see a victim mentality from them. Despite this horrible situation they found a way to serve God and he blessed them for it.
- You may also be a victim of circumstances that are not your own doing, but you do not have to let that destroy you Daniel and the three Hebrew children are good examples for us in this regard.
2) False Indoctrination.
- These young men were forced to learn a new language and study the ways of the Chaldeans.
- They were given new names. Daniel became Belteshazzar, Hananiah became Shadrach, Mishael became Meshach, and Azariah became Abednego. The significance of this is that the Babylonian names given to them had a connection with different gods that the Babylonians worshipped.
- They were given a new diet to eat that was contrary to the dietary laws of the Jews.
- In these things we see that they were trying to make these boys Babylonian and remove the things that had been instilled in them about their heritage and God.
- Today that is what the devil is doing through the world to Christians. He has taken the things of the world and brought them into the church so that you cannot tell the difference between worshipping God and a modern day rock concert or night club.
- He also uses the world to makes young Christians look, act, and conform to the whims of society so that their identity as saved born again children of God becomes less and less.
- Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego overcame this Adversity and stayed true to their God.
How did they overcome this Adversity?
1) Daniel purposed in his heart (verse 8)
- Everything is a matter of heart (Proverbs 4:23)
2) They trusted God to take care of them (verses 8-17)
- The pulse by itself did not make them better than the others it was God doing it through them being willing to only eat the pulse and not defile themselves with the king’s meat (Proverbs 3:5-6)
3) They found a way to serve God even in adverse circumstances.
- As you mature you will find yourself in many different circumstances like, new schools, jobs, relationships etc. You must not let these keep you from serving God. There is always a way to serve God and stay true to him if you will purpose in your heart and trust him.
In Daniel and the three Hebrew children we see some good examples for young people today. Don’t let bad circumstances or the things of the world keep you from serving God. Purpose in your heart, trust God and overcome adversity through the power of God.
Lesson From Daniel
Overcoming Adversity (Daniel 1:1-21) : Handout
1) Who were Daniel and the 3 Hebrew children?
2) What was the adversity that they overcame?
3) How did they overcome this adversity?