There are so many lessons in the Book of Daniel. The lesson for the present is that we must determine in advance how we will respond to trials. Before our time on earth is finished, we may well be called on to take a stand for our God. I believe the days of surface faith and cowardly Christianity are quickly coming to an end. Being a Christian—a real Christian—will soon cost more than many are willing to pay. Will you stand for your faith? Do you have the courage to say, as these men did, that you will honor God no matter what? The lesson from the past is one of an inspiring example. This book shows that in Daniel’s day, there were faithful individuals who stood up for what they believed, even when the penalty was death. There are no finer examples of courage under fire in the entire Bible than those we find in the early chapters of this book. Because of the courage of these three young men, a loud-mouthed, proud, vain king was led to praise the God of heaven. He himself had asked the question, “What god is able to deliver you from my hand?” and at last he answered his own question: the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego. The lesson for the future is that we look forward to a prophetic promise. We look forward to the time that Jesus Christ will return and set up His Kingdom on earth. We know there are better days coming. To God be the Glory!