Daniel 1:16

Daniel 1:16 says, Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse.  As stated earlier, this was not just a ten day trial period, but was a commitment for as long as they were in captivity.  After a few days, we might be tempted by the rich food and drink, but they remained true.   Verse seventeen adds, 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.  When they remained faithful to God, He remained faithful to them.  We too often expect God to remain faithful to us, even when we are not faithful to Him.  Living without being corrupted by the king's food and drink, these four were not only physically superior to those who ate what the king provided, but they were given a great skill in knowledge and learning.  We might say that it was only food and drink, but at this time, there were still dietary restrictions for the Jews.  We may not have the same dietary restrictions today, but there are still things that we should not do as followers of Christ, no matter how much it might benefit us materially.  Verse eighteen continues, Now at the end of the days that the king had said he should bring them in, then the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar.  The day of reckoning had come.  Melzar was to bring those chosen before the king, including Daniel and his three friends.  When we are firm in our faith to Christ, there will always be days when we are judged compared to others around us who do not follow Christ.  Verse nineteen states, And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.  The king could find none like these four.  When we are examined by the world, we need to live in such faith that no one living by the standards of the world will compare to us.  This is due to our belief in and faith to Christ, and not because of our own ability.  Verse twenty adds, And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm.  The king found them to be ten times better in wisdom and knowledge than all his magicians and astrologers in the land.  No matter how smart those who deny God, and especially His redemption of people through faith in Christ, may think they are, we as followers of Christ are superior in knowledge and understanding.  This is because God gives us true knowledge and understanding.  Verse twenty-one coninues, And Daniel continued even unto the first year of king Cyrus.  Daniel and the others were not suddenly set free from their physical bondage, but they were never in spiritual bondage.  That is all that we can claim today.  Even if we were to be enslaved physically, if we remain true to God through the power and guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will never be enslaved spiritually.