Daniel 1:20 (NLT)
Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them ten times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom.
How do you handle life when you find yourself in a difficult spot? Remember names like Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego? Yes, these were the young men God saved in a dramatic way. When Daniel survived a night with famished lions and when the Triple Threat (no, not Lebron, Wade and Bosh) survived the fiery furnace, no one could deny the power of God!
What’s their history? What’s the back-story? All four of these young men were Israelites. They had been taken into bondage by King Nebuchadnezzar, king of Babylon. He had instructed his assistants to search through the Israelites and find the best looking, smartest and most capable young men. I guess you could say it was one of the first drafts. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were among those chosen.
Although they were chosen because of their appearance and intelligence, there was something still different about them. In fact, they were found ten times more capable than any of the king’s consultants. That’s undeniable influence! Don’t forget that these guys were in very difficult circumstances. But even in a place they desperately didn’t want to be – they flourished.
The thing that so greatly set them apart from everyone else was their character. Here are a couple of important things to remember about character:
- Character is more than talk. Action is the real indicator of character.
- Talent is a gift, but character is a choice.
- Talent will only carry you as far as your character can sustain you.
God wants to give you incredible influence in the world you live. You have a great opportunity to demonstrate God’s favor on your life no matter what circumstance you find yourself. Whether in captivity, in a den of lions or a fiery furnace, God will demonstrate His power in your life when you demonstrate character that can be trusted.
