Hughes column: We must stand as tall in our faith as Daniel did in his

“So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.” — Daniel 6:4

Daniel’s life simply amazes me. He was taken from his home, his family and his country, when he was somewhere between 14 and 17. King Nebuchadnezzar ordered his chief eunuch to bring the best-looking, healthiest and smartest young men of royal and noble birth to train for service in his palace. They were to be turned into Babylonians.

Babylon is reported to have been the most beautiful city ever built. Nebuchadnezzar used the wealth and skilled workers from all the countries he conquered to make it glorious. The walls around the city were made of cobalt blue brick and had bulls and dragons painted on them.

You entered the city through the magnificent Ishtar Gate and came upon a stone-and-brick paved street. It was 10 feet wide and a half a mile long. It ended at a temple complex.

The Euphrates River ran through the middle of the city and a bridge connected its two parts. It was a city of luxury and splendor.

What did Daniel and the other young men feel as they entered this extravagant city? The land and the people were different from anything they had ever encountered.

Nebuchadnezzar had three lavish palaces: one in the north, one in the south and one for the summer. He was ruler over all the civilized world. His power was absolute. He killed whom he willed and let live whom he willed. He expected absolute obedience to his commands. To disobey was a death sentence.

To this world, these young teenagers entered. For three years they were to be taught. The learning would have been extensive. First, they would have learned the language and how to write cuneiform. Among the subjects they would have studied included agriculture, architectural design, astronomy, botany, engineering, history, literature, medicine, philosophy, law, religion and zoology. The Babylonians made discoveries that are still in use today.

The power, the splendor, the learning would have intimidated most men, let alone teenagers. But four of them were not intimidated: Daniel, Shadrach, Meschach and Abednego. None of it changed who they were or who they worshiped.

They always told the truth and they always obeyed God. At the end of the three years, Nebuchadnezzar found these four to be far more intelligent than all the rest. Daniel became known as one who had an excellent spirit, knowledge, and understanding. He could interpret dreams, solve riddles and explain enigmas.

As the years passed, Daniel was respected and trusted by the kings he served. They knew he was honest, faithful and dedicated. There came a day when the Babylonians were defeated by the Medes and Persians.

Darius set up 120 rulers over local areas. Over these men were three governors to whom the rulers gave account of their dealings. Daniel was one of the three and he so distinguished himself that Darius was thinking about putting him over the whole realm.

The rest of the men tried every way they could to find some charge to bring against Daniel so it wouldn’t happen. They couldn’t find anything. They also found out he would not break the law of his God, so they drummed up a way to trap him into disobeying Darius.

Daniel’s whole world was turned upside down. Names of 3,000 gods have been found in their writings, Marduk being the main one. He worshiped the one true God. He did not worship their gods.

He went from being royalty to being a slave. In it all, he remained faithful to God and faithful to those he served. Yet, he never wavered.

He spoke the truth with love and affection to all he served except Belteshazzar. To him, he spoke the truth, but made it clear he wanted no part with him.

Daniel put his whole heart into serving God and serving those over him with hard work and integrity. He was loved and trusted by many kings. The one who appeared to him in chapter 10 to interpret his vision said, “O Daniel, man greatly beloved.”

I am amazed that one so young could stand faithful and true, never wavering from his faith amid splendor and power that would turn many if only temporarily. Daniel is a great example to us today. Living in a world of excess, a world where most did not share his values or his belief in his God, he stood tall and sure. May we be like Daniel!