Today we are going to look at an important lesson that we can learn from some young heroes of faith. I would like to take a look at their story just after they pass the "test of the delicacies"
In Daniel 1:5 it reads, "And the king appointed for them a daily provision of the king's delicacies and of the wine which he drank, and three years of training for them, so that at the end of that time they might serve before the king." Most people don't realize it but something we need to understand is that three years had passed between the ten day "veggie test," and the beginning of verse 18 where they were brought before the king.Three years of being faithful! Three years of keeping a vow made to "watch what they ate." Three years of choosing day by day to stand faithfully and not be defiled. How was it possible for these young men to keep their vow? After all they were living in the luxury of the palace, and being offered the king's food. The best in the land. It must have smelled and looked great! How did they resist the temptation to try the "king's provision" for three whole years?
The commitment level of these young men goes way beyond what a lot of us experience today. Example: How about the last time you were moved by a Sermon to increase the time you spend in His Word, (Your mealtime). You set your alarm to go off earlier than normal. (Great so far!) The next morning arrived with that dreaded noise you hate! You rolled over and then temptation struck. The "luxury" of the snooze button hits! Did you use it? Day by day, for three years these young men lived a commitment that went beyond just good intentions. Their intentions, plus action, equaled a day by day lasting commitment! Their commitment to eat God's provision instead of the king of Babylonian's brought about some definite results. Take a look at what was said about them in verse 19 after their three years of training in the Babylonian ways, "And among them all none was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah" Verse 20 says, "In all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the others."
How was this possible? Easy! God was their source. We know this because it tells us that in the one and only verse that covers the three year time period. We find it sandwiched between the end of the "veggie test' in verse 16, and verse 18 the "end of the days" when they were brought before the king. Verse 17 tells us "As for these four young men, God gave them knowledge and skill in all literature and wisdom." God blessed and increased them as they were faithful to put God first and to honor Him day by day, one meal at a time, even in the midst of this Babylonian world in which they now found themselves in. Their day by day commitment along with the results of their faithfulness, offer us a perfect example of what Jesus spoke about in Matthew 6:33, "But seek ye first the kingdom of God and His righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you."
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