Do you know anyone named “Daniel”?
Probably more than one.
Daniel has been in the top ten of boy’s names 25 times and in the top one hundred 141 times. It has ranked in the top fifteen since 1972. It ranks first in boy’s names starting with “D”.
I would imagine one reason for that would be stories heard from childhood about the young man named Daniel who refused to compromise his faith in God, even for the king’s orders. Or the story of the same man thrown into a den of lions for his faith in God.
Amazing things are said by God about this man Daniel. On two occasions, Ezekiel will mention three outstanding men of faith and say that even if they were in a country who had turned against God, they would not be able to save anyone but themselves. Those three men? Noah, Job and Daniel.
What is Daniel’s secret? What did he do to become so pleasing in the sight of God?
11 He said, “Daniel, you who are highly esteemed, consider carefully the words I am about to speak to you, and stand up, for I have now been sent to you.” And when he said this to me, I stood up trembling. 12 Then he continued, “Do not be afraid, Daniel. Since the first day that you set your mind to gain understanding and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard, and I have come in response to them. (Daniel 10:11-12 NIV)
Do you see the two keys?