Favor with the King! Daniel Ch. 1

God's light shines brightest in times of darkness.  Nebuchadnezzar had just besieged Jerusalem for the third time.  But this final time he took many into captivity into Babylon for 70 years.  God was making up for the 70 years that Israel had stolen in the former 490 years by refusing to honor the Sabbath every 7 years.  So God redeemed those years by placing Israel into captivity. God also took four young men of Israel into the court of the king of Babylon.  They were handsome, without physical blemish, wise in learning the language and the culture of Babylon.  Daniel, of course, was among them. Daniel excelled in excellence and had received, from God, the gift of dreams and interpretation. Daniel 1:17 "As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams." This made Daniel stand out among all those in the king's court of soothsayers, astrologers and the wise men. Daniel, along with Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah were being groomed in the customs and culture of Babylon. Even though their names were changed, their diet was changed, their dress was changed, there hearts were not. They remained faithful in the middle of the entire Babylonian system, to their God Jehovah.  Because of their pure hearts and purpose not to defile themselves with the king's meat and drink, they became more excellent than all the other wise men by 10 times!  Not only that, Daniel was given great favor in the court of the king!  Daniel 1:9 "Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs."  Remember FAVOR comes from God!

Remember also, that we, the body and bride of Christ, have been given 9 beautiful gifts of the Holy Spirit in this age, so that we too can excel in life and ministry. You have been gifted, just like Daniel, with the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit to have the gifts of wisdom, knowledge, faith, healings, miracles, prophecy, discerning of spirits, tongues and interpretation of tongues. (I Cor. 12:8 - 11) We should be affecting our culture and nation just like Daniel did Babylon. Daniel is an illustration of how the body of Christ will function in the middle of the final Babylonian system found in the book of Revelation.  We will by used mightily!

YOU HAVE FAVOR WITH GOD!