"Dare to be a Daniel"!

I am reading in the book of Daniel right now.  I still feel the excitement of a child when I read or hear the thrilling stories of Daniel in the Lion's Den and the three Hebrew children in the fiery furnace!  Let's look a little deeper into the life of Daniel.

In the beginning of the book, we find Daniel a Jewish captive in Babylon.  In the very first chapter we find him facing a severe test.  Verse 8 records: "But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the King's meat, nor the wine which he drank:"

Finally, the jealous presidents and princes could stand it no longer!  They could find no occasion or fault against Daniel, so they decided to attack him concerning the law of his God!  We find them talking to the King in Chapter six with great flattery and convincing him to sign a decree stating "that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions."

Again, we see the steadfastness of Daniel, for verse 10 says:  "Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime."
Daniel didn't wait until he could pray secretly under cover of darkness; but as soon as he knew the writing was signed, he went immediately to his house and started praying.  It didn't take long for his enemies to find him praying, and he was cast into the den of lions!  There he had a wonderful night of sleep, no doubt using the largest lion for a comfortable pillow!!
The next morning, "Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God."  This wonderful miracle seemed to spark a revival, for the king made a decree to all peoples, nations and languages "that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for He is the living God, and steadfast for ever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end."

"Dare to be a Daniel!  Dare to stand alone!
     Dare to have a purpose firm!  Dare to make it known!"

I believe we still have some Daniel's today!  Will you dare to be one of them?