Read

Daniel 1:18-21

¹⁸When the three-year training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief official brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. ¹⁹The king talked with each of them, and none of them impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they were appointed to his regular staff of advisers. ²⁰In all matters requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, the king found the advice of these young men to be ten times better than that of all the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.

²¹Daniel remained there until the first year of King Cyrus’s reign.

Reflect

Finally, Daniel and his friends had made it through the three year training period. They made it through and still remained true to God. They followed God’s laws, took care of each other and trusted God to bless them. What was their reward? God gave them wisdom beyond that of the others. They were appointed leaders. They found favor with the king.

The story of Daniel and his friends in this chapter reminds us that we are all called to live in our culture but we don’t have to live like those in our culture. God rewards those who are faithful to Him. That is what we can take away from Daniel and his friends. As believers in Christ, we can be leaders in our culture - but we can’t compromise our convictions. Along with the freedom we have in salvation, comes the responsibility to be an example to others so they may also come to know Christ.

Respond

1. How long did it take Daniel and his friends to realize God’s blessing?
2. Have you ever had to endure hardship for a long period before realizing God’s blessing? How did you manage the wait?
3. The story in chapter one is about how Daniel and his friends handled the Lion of Ambition. They committed to make obedience to God a higher priority than their own ambition. Are you willing to make that same commitment?

===================================================
If you would like a printable copy of this devotional, we have provided one here.