Daniel: Spiritual Vitality in a Secular Setting

Daniel is the model of a leader who preserved spiritual integrity within a hostile environment. Here are some principles for strengthening spiritual leadership while serving through unstable and unfavorable circumstances:

TAKE YOUR STAND: Daniel took God’s name on himself, being identified as a child of Israel (1:3). “Daniel purposed in his heart” (1:8) not to misrepresent God. He kept the 1st through 4th commandments forcibly! This is the foundation upon which the rest of his life was built. He knew what he stood for, his convictions.

KNOW YOUR “WHY”: Daniel’s “why” was his love for God. This defined his values. Under pressure, he was able to lean on his “why” and not defile himself. Daniel was among those “in whom there was no blemish . . . gifted in all wisdom, possessing knowledge and quick to understand” (Daniel 1:4) which indicates he had a solid “why” to think and act as he did--his purity got him noticed.

FIND YOUR PURPOSE: Only after Daniel and his friends had proven themselves with knowledge, skill and wisdom were they brought before the king, “and among them all none was found like Daniel . . .” (1:19) being “ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers in all his realm” (1:20). Daniel was considered a spiritual leader (2:16)--but which kind would become clear throughout his life.

KEEP YOUR FOCUS: The world has many points of view but Daniel’s focus was from God’s infinite viewing point. Daniel was consistent. He is often found praying and spending time with God was priority. The result was that he spoke clearly, plainly from God’s perspective and addressed matters-at-hand. This focus equipped him with the strength to stand firm in the midst of conflict.