At a young age Daniel found himself far away from home in a pagan land. You can only imagine how difficult it must have been for him. But Daniel resolved that he would remain faithful to God and rely on Him regardless of the consequences. As a young man Daniel was chosen by the Babylonian court officials to enter into the king’s service. Along with others, Daniel would be trained for three years prior to entering into the king’s service. Though offered food and wine from the king’s table, Daniel refused and requested that he and his friends, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, be given vegetables and water instead. Scripture tells us in Daniel 1:8-9, “But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and sympathy to Daniel.” The court official agreed to Daniel’s suggestion. Notice how scripture tells us that God caused the favor and sympathy that was given to Daniel. We can already see how God was interceding for Daniel.
After eating only vegetables and drinking water for ten days, Daniel and his friends looked healthier than all the other young men that ate the royal food. Whether this was the direct result of the diet or by God working in another way not mentioned in scripture, we see that God made a way for them to not defile themselves and remain faithful to Him. Continuing in Daniel 1:17 we read, “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.” When it was time to be presented to the king these young men had no equal. Daniel 1:18-20 says, “At the end of the time set by the king to bring them in, the chief official presented them to Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and he found none equal to Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah; so they entered the king’s service. In every matter of wisdom and understanding about which the king questioned them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.”
When looking at Daniel in his youth, we see that God gave him favor, sympathy, good health, knowledge, understanding and the ability to interpret dreams and visions. It doesn’t say in scripture that Daniel acquired these things on his own. Throughout Daniel’s life God would continue to provide and watch over him as needed. Daniel knew that he would not make it without God. Scripture tells us that Daniel prayed three times a day. He didn’t do this because he was more religious than everybody else. Daniel had a very challenging job and at times held very high offices. He also had plenty of enemies that were looking for opportunities to destroy him. He depended on God every step of the way.
We learn a great deal about God as a provider in this chapter of the book of Daniel. We learn that God provides more than just material needs. He gives us understanding and knowledge when we need it. He causes others to show us favor or respond in whatever way He wills. And certainly He can bless us with good health. When we look through scripture we can see many other examples. It is important to keep these things in mind as we go about the work that the Lord has for us.
Adam
