Role model….Daniel
Daniel (God is my Judge) , surely must be one of the greatest role models for any teenager in the word of God. But not just teenagers, Daniel is a role model for all men and women who are looking for an example of maturity not in years but in their relationship with the Lord.
Daniel was just a teenager, probably 17-19 years of age when he was taken as a captive by the Babylonians to Babylon. Away from home, from Temple worship, from family, Daniel had his name changed by the Babylonians to Belteshazzar, but they could not make him change his worship and love for the God of Israel. He refused to eat their food that had been offered to idols or the wine they had used also as an offering.
The classic key scripture describing this young faithful Hebrew is found in the first chapter, But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself….Daniel 1:8 But in all this Daniel was never rude or arrogant even to his captors.
Daniel stayed constant in his walk with God even though he was away from home, without the support of his family and friends. He did not take the easy path of just going along with things to make things easy for himself which he could have simply done and no one would have been the wiser.
He stayed faithful in worship, in prayer, in his love for God and his service of God.
Distance should never be an excuse for falling away from our walk with God. May we purpose in our hearts to have a solid relationship with God that is steady and stable.
Finally, Daniel in later years is found still praying three times a day, no matter what the laws of the land stipulated, he would maintain his fellowship through prayer and worship of His precious Lord. Let us be mature in the stability of our worship and praise of our Lord, never altering or changing our thankfulness for what He has done for us and who He is.