Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Alan Fong
3 min read
Better and Better
Today's Verse:
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. ~Daniel 1:20
We live in a strongly consumer-oriented society. We are very concerned that we get the best value for our money in consumer goods. We compare appliances, cars, electronic equipment, and tools very carefully. When we know there is something better, we tend to want that which is better. The leading king of his day, Nebuchadnezzar, examined Daniel and his three friends very closely. He found them ten times better than all of the magicians and astrologers in his kingdom. Let’s examine today what this king saw that made him conclude that Daniel was ten times better.
They were better in their character.
Daniel was among the captives taken from Judah to Babylon. Babylon was a modern and progressive city of its time. It was a place of many worldly attractions and temptations. Daniel could have made the choice to blend in and become just like the Babylonians in everything. He could have allowed the culture to change him. However, Daniel did not! Daniel lived a life that was above his culture. He did not allow the culture to affect his character. Instead, he was a man above the reproach of the world, and he would not allow its temptations to ensnare him. He was a man of integrity, truthfulness, and hating covetousness.
They were better in their convictions.
We are told that Daniel purposed in his heart not to defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat nor with the wine which he drank. Even though he was many miles away from home and knew that it was unlikely he would return anytime soon, Daniel knew that he belonged to the Lord. He had strong biblical convictions about abstinence, self-restraint, and personal separation. A conviction is a strong belief that you will not change. That belief is so strong that you will die for that belief. He was unashamed of being called a believer in God. He challenged the man in charge of him to prove him for ten days to see if he fared better health-wise by eating vegetables and water instead of meat and wine. God blessed his convictions and validated his beliefs by removing the temptation to eat the king’s meat and wine.
They were better in their conclusions.
We are told that God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. Daniel was reputed for having the wisdom of God in his life. The king realized that Daniel and his three friends had insight and understanding about things that the other advisors of the king did not have. It is amazing to see that three young men surpassed the men of the kingdom in the area of wisdom. "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy." Daniel advised the king with truth that had its foundation in the Word of God.
They were better in their classification.
Daniel and his friends were classified as "ten times better." This distinction made them the preferred advisors in the kingdom. They rose to prominence because of God and not because of man. God placed Daniel in that kingdom as His representative to a pagan nation. When we fast-forward from Daniel 1, we see how Daniel’s gifts and influences enabled him to give a powerful gospel witness to the kings of Babylon and Medo-Persia. Nebuchadnezzar became a believer because of Daniel. Cyrus and Darius were under Daniel’s influence and possibly became believers as well. When the gifts and responsibilities of God are optimized in our life, God uses us to have influence in places and with people that most cannot get access to.
Are you someone whom it can be said you are found ten times better? Christians should be better in all things and be available for God to use in difficult places of life.
Have a better God Morning!
Bible Reading Schedule: 2 Chronicles 25-27
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