Supernatural Living in a Godless Culture

By Kelly Cilano

If anyone ever lived a supernatural life, it was the prophet Daniel. His story is one example after another of a blessed supernatural life.

And this was living under circumstances which were, from a Jewish point of view, appalling and faith threatening.

At first glance, Daniel and his friends had everything going against them. But just as embers from ashes can survive and grow into a roaring fire, Daniel and his friends grew into a fire that still roars today.

How did they do it? Obviously, their parents had passed on a spiritual heritage for supernatural living. As God had commanded, they continuously talked, taught, and read about their God to their children.

“You shall teach them diligently to your children, and shall talk of them when you sit in your house, when you walk by the way, when you lie down, and when you rise up” (Deuteronomy 6:7).

Allow me to acquaint you with Daniel through a quick overview of chapter one in his book.

Daniel and his fellow countrymen are teenagers when they are carried off as captives to Babylon (modern day Iraq) after their homeland, Israel, is besieged and conquered.

This is during the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. We have no record of their families having survived the onslaught of Israel.

Although Daniel is only 15, he should not be compared to a 15-year-old male in today's world.  Their world was entirely different, and much more was expected at an earlier age.

Daniel and his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, became princes of the king's court.  Interestingly enough, it was Ashpenaz, the prince of the eunuchs, who gave them their Babylonian names since they were to serve in King Nebuchadnezzar's palace.

Daniel became Belteshazzar, Hananiah became Shadrach, Mishael was Meshach and Azariah was Abednego.

The purpose of the name change was for assimilation. The Babylonian culture worshiped demon gods – not unlike what Joseph experienced in Egypt.   

Just to be considered to stand in the king's palace they could not be blemished physically or mentally. They also had to be advantaged academically, and were required to learn the Chaldean language, traditions, literature, mathematics and science as their own (Daniel 1:4).

Daniel and his friends also really understood, knew, and acted on the principles of God. We see this because their actions demonstrated their knowledge. They were no doubt discouraged, but they were not destroyed.

Because they weren't destroyed, their faith gave them purpose. They also had humility and thankfulness, especially since they were chosen to be in the king's palace and not out in the fields or on some building project.

These two traits, although not spoken of directly, but displayed in their actions, won them favor with Ashpenaz, so that when it came time for Daniel and his friends to make a stand about the king's food and drink, they had the wisdom to ask, with respect and without rebellion, to edit their master's boundaries. 

Ashpenaz favored Daniel, and Daniel agreed to reinstate the original request of eating the king’s food if their goal of appearing healthy was not met. The goal was met and Ashpenaz took notice, and they continued in favor with him and with God.

It built a platform of favor and trustworthiness, and at the same time God, our ever patient Teacher, was enriching their gifts through their obedience.

They received knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and Daniel also received understanding in all visions and dreams (Daniel 1:17). This prepared him for God’s next task.

When King Nebuchadnezzar was troubled and greatly frightened by his dreams, (but could not remember them), he called in all the Chaldean wise men.

When they couldn't tell the king his dream, King Nebuchadnezzar in his fury, put out a decree that all the wise men were to be killed – which is how Daniel and his friends found themselves in yet another risky circumstance.

Daniel spoke with Arioch, the captain of the king's guard, asking why the decree had been issued, and the captain explained.

What captain gives explanations? Especially to Daniel, a man currently sentenced to die? Yet he did, because God's favor is extraordinary.

God had put wisdom in Daniel not only to ask but to ask in counsel, which means he didn't react with excessive emotion of unfairness or self pity. Rather he asked humbly about what had happened to bring about this decree.

This won him favor again, because Arioch agreed to go before King Nebuchadnezzar, (which took courage on his part, considering the king's patience was at killer level) and Daniel was brought before the king.

Meantime, Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meschach, and Abednego, were praying for God's mercies, and for the dream's revelation, and that they would not all perish.

God answered their prayer.

From crisis to crisis, these young men harnessed the power of supernatural living despite being immersed in a godless culture.

We, too, can accomplish supernatural living by learning some very important lessons from Daniel and his friends.

We, too, are facing very perilous times and, like Israel, our leaders and our government are worshiping other gods. Their corrupt lives and actions are poisoning our existence.

Our eyes and hearts have to be welded with God’s. Daniel and his friends saw that there was no other way to live, and we have to come to this realization as well, if we want to overcome.

Daniel and his friends had a deep faith, and you can, too, despite your circumstances. 

Tomorrow everything could change for either good or bad, but when you realize that man is not in control but God is, it will make all the difference as you strengthen yourself in Him.

Make an agreement with a friend, or several friends, and make yourselves accountable to each other. Set your goals to grow in God. How will you achieve this? Start now.

Read your Bible and write down questions or verses that speak to you. In Deuteronomy chapter 28, God tells His people that certain things produce blessings or curses, that He sets before us death and life, and He tells us to choose life!

Also pray, alone before God, and also with others. Be spontaneous with your prayers; have an ongoing conversation with God throughout the day. Prayer keeps us on a spiritual plane and footing where we first think of talking to God before calling on someone else.

Talking to God first does make a difference. You will see the importance and blessing of growing in God and how that will begin to change things in your life as you connect to Him.

Jump into the arms of the church. We can’t do this supernatural life alone; we need our brothers and sisters in Christ. Stay connected to your church family!

Talk about Jesus! There are people all around you who don’t know Him, and you may be the only ambassador for Christ they will meet.

Don’t pass up an opportunity to tell them about the love of God and His plan of salvation. Daniel was that ambassador for God, bringing even kings the truth of God’s Word.

Daniel lived an incredible, supernatural life. You too, can blossom under the hand of God by living like Daniel and his friends: supernaturally!