Scripture presents perhaps no more attractive characters than are seen in Daniel and his three companions. Israel as a nation is cast off; they are all broken up and carried away into captivity. There would seem now but little object to live for-but little incentive to be faithful in the service of God. The natural result would be to sink down into sullenness and live for self, as doubtless large numbers of these captives did in the land of Babylon; or else fall into line with the Babylonians themselves and enjoy life with them.
It was not so with these four children. They did neither the one nor the other, and the painful circumstances they were in became the means of their glorifying God as they could not have done in their own land in brighter days. They have faith in God:they know that if He has cast off their beloved nation, and driven them away from their beloved Jerusalem, it is because they richly deserve it. This makes them humble, but trustful too. A God who is so busy with them must love them, and love can be trusted. They set themselves therefore first of all to pleasing God. They are away from home, and they must needs take an active part in the scene where they are, but God must and will have the first place at whatever cost to themselves.
They refuse defiling food. They think not, like alas! many a child of God now going through this scene, that they can eat without danger the food of this world – that they can take in the mind, and spirit and ways of the world around without being unfitted for communion with God and for being His instruments of service. They deny self, and they prosper. They become the very men who can be best trusted with the highest responsibilities.
Thus they become so acquainted with God that Daniel can tell His whole mind to the king when no one else could, and by this many are saved from death. His three friends also, when all bowed the knee to the great image of gold, refused to bow theirs. They would not thus displease God, and so God made them victorious over all the mighty ones of earth, and honored them with the company of His beloved Son in the fiery furnace.
My young friends, the company and smile of Jesus in whatever we may pass through for His name's sake, will, in the day that is drawing near, be seen to be greater honor and glory than are at present all the companionships, and smiles, and favors of all the great ones of earth. He who seeks the Lord's approval will surely have his name enrolled with that of Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.
P. J. L.