The Babylonian empire was replete with worldly riches as exemplified by the 90 foot tall gold statue of King Nebuchadnezzar, likewise the Book of Daniel is replete with spiritual riches chapter by chapter.
- Daniel and his friends forsake the riches of the King's table so that they will not be tempted in the ways of the world. The pleasures of the King's table are not necessarily sin, but Daniel and his friends knew that if they let their guard down, other pleasures (which might be sin) would be there to tempt them later.
- Daniel not only interprets Nebuchadnezzar's dream, he knows what the dream is because God reveals the dream to him. Daniel has so ordered his life after God's ways that it is only natural for God to answer Daniel's request for help.
- Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego are thrown into the fiery furnace because they will not bow down to Nebuchadnezzar's statue. They too have followed after God and trusted in God and God honors that trust and obedience by saving them from the fire.
- With the help of Daniel and his friends, and a little extra assistance from God, Nebuchadnezzar comes to truly trust in the Lord -- our friends could use a similar example.
- Daniel served many Babylonian kings with distinction, but not all of them were inclined to trust in Daniel's God. King Belshazzar's arrogance cost him his life as Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall. Even though Daniel did not enjoy a high place in King Belshazzar's court, he did not let his demotion change his attitude towards God.
- When Darius the Mede took control away from the Babylonians, he took Daniel into his confidence, right before he threw him into the Lion's Den, but he rooted for Daniel to survive. Daniel survived, not because the King of the Persians and the Medes was rooting for him, but rather because the creator of the universe was on his side.
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