Daniel's Recognition

Beyond the Present Time
The Kingdom of God
Daniel's Prayer

Daniel 1:16-21

The Message

14-16 The steward agreed to do it and fed them vegetables and water for ten days. At the end of the ten days they looked better and more robust than all the others who had been eating from the royal menu. So the steward continued to exempt them from the royal menu of food and drink and served them only vegetables.
17-19 God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in both books and life. In addition, Daniel was gifted in understanding all sorts of visions and dreams. At the end of the time set by the king for their training, the head of the royal staff brought them in to Nebuchadnezzar. When the king interviewed them, he found them far superior to all the other young men. None were a match for Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
19-20 And so they took their place in the king’s service. Whenever the king consulted them on anything, on books or on life, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his kingdom put together.
21 Daniel continued in the king’s service until the first year in the reign of King Cyrus.

For Reflection

The wiasdom of Daniel and his friends was derived from God. Each of us has the capacity to invent new ways of saying or doing things. Each of us has Daniel's capacity for avoiding conflict while acting in ways contrary to the conventional demands of political, economic, and social conventions. In this case Daniel and his friends were rewarded with privileged place not only in the king's service, but also in the serviced of God. You, also, have God-derived wisdom, and the advantage of the Spirit residing in you. Have faith. Have courage. Go with God.

 

Pray

that you will have confidence in the way of the Kingdom of God. Pray that you will react with God-derived wisdom. Pray that all peoples have the courage to act compassionately and justly.