Have you ever really read the book of Daniel in the OLd Testament? Even as a young man, Daniel was a person of great faith and courage. Jerusalem was defeated by Nebuchadnezzar in 605 BC, and he sent at least 4 young Jewish men to Babylon to be trained to work with him. We remember these 4 young men by the names of Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.
We first find their faith and courage in Daniel 1. They are prisoners of the king being trained to be government officials. During this training period all of the trainees are to eat the same food. This was not the food God wanted them to eat. We read of how they handled this matter in Daniel 1:8-16.
8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s delicacies, nor with the wine which he drank; therefore he requested of the chief of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. 9 Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. 10 And the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, “I fear my lord the king, who has appointed your food and drink. For why should he see your faces looking worse than the young men who are your age? Then you would endanger my head before the king.”
11 So Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had set over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, 12 “Please test your servants for ten days, and let them give us vegetables to eat and water to drink. 13 Then let our appearance be examined before you, and the appearance of the young men who eat the portion of the king’s delicacies; and as you see fit, so deal with your servants.” 14 So he consented with them in this matter, and tested them ten days.
15 And at the end of ten days their features appeared better and fatter in flesh than all the young men who ate the portion of the king’s delicacies. 16 Thus the steward took away their portion of delicacies and the wine that they were to drink, and gave them vegetables.
Wouldn’t it be great to have the faith and courage of these 4 young men?