Scripture to Read: Daniel 1:18–21
After training for three years (Daniel 1:5), Nebuchadnezzar inspected all the youth to see if they were suitable for serving in his court. God did a mighty work in and through Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah because they chose to abide in Him and His Word. These four young men, at 15 years of age, chose not to compromise. They chose to adhere to God’s Truth and not be swayed by the pressure to do even what King Nebuchadnezzar had commanded Ashpenaz, the chief of his officials, to make sure all of the youths ate. Because these four young men were obedient to God, we read in Daniel 1:18–19, "Then at the end of the days which the king had specified for presenting them, the commander of the officials presented them before Nebuchadnezzar. 19 The king talked with them, and out of them all not one was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s personal service." God continued to pour out His favor on them. This is a great reminder of God’s Truth in Galatians 6:8–9, "For the one who sows to his own flesh will from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit will from the Spirit reap eternal life. 9 Let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we will reap if we do not grow weary." These four young men walked in the fullness of God and His Truth and did not grow weary in living for Him.
Further reading that is needed:
In Daniel 1:20, we read, “As for every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king consulted them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers who were in all his realm.” God so blessed Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah that Nebuchadnezzar found them ten times better than all the magicians and conjurers in his kingdom—that is God’s favor beyond measure (Ephesians 3:20–21). But there is one last thing God does not want us to miss, for we read in Daniel 1:21, “And Daniel continued until the first year of Cyrus the king.” God gave these four young men longevity. In Daniel 10:1, God reveals that “In the third year of Cyrus king of Persia a message was revealed to Daniel.” That day didn’t arrive until 536 B.C., so Daniel would have served God for at least 69–70 years. Daniel was used by God as a teenager and God used him in his mid-80s. The fact is, as long as there is breath in our lungs, God wants to use us.
Challenge & Application
• How did God challenge you today through the lives of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah?
• What must you do to be the kind of example that Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were in their day?
Don’t forget to pray using the A.C.T.S. (Adoration, Confession, Thanksgiving, Supplication) method!