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Prophets and Kings
qualities and a high moral tone are not the result of accident. God
gives opportunities; success depends upon the use made of them.
While God was working in Daniel and his companions “to will
and to do of His good pleasure,” they were working out their own
salvation.
Philippians 2:13
. Herein is revealed the outworking of the
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divine principle of co-operation, without which no true success can
be attained. Human effort avails nothing without divine power; and
without human endeavor, divine effort is with many of no avail. To
make God’s grace our own, we must act our part. His grace is given to
work in us to will and to do, but never as a substitute for our effort.
As the Lord co-operated with Daniel and his fellows, so He will
co-operate with all who strive to do His will. And by the impartation
of His Spirit He will strengthen every true purpose, every noble reso-
lution. Those who walk in the path of obedience will encounter many
hindrances. Strong, subtle influences may bind them to the world;
but the Lord is able to render futile every agency that works for the
defeat of His chosen ones; in His strength they may overcome every
temptation, conquer every difficulty.
God brought Daniel and his associates into connection with the
great men of Babylon, that in the midst of a nation of idolaters they
might represent His character. How did they become fitted for a po-
sition of so great trust and honor? It was faithfulness in little things
that gave complexion to their whole life. They honored God in the
smallest duties, as well as in the larger responsibilities.
As God called Daniel to witness for Him in Babylon, so He calls
us to be His witnesses in the world today. In the smallest as well as
the largest affairs of life, He desires us to reveal to men the principles
of His kingdom. Many are waiting for some great work to be brought
to them, while daily they lose opportunities for revealing faithfulness
to God. Daily they fail of discharging with wholeheartedness the little
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duties of life. While they wait for some large work in which they
may exercise supposedly great talents, and thus satisfy their ambitious
longings, their days pass away.
In the life of the true Christian there are no nonessentials; in the
sight of Omnipotence every duty is important. The Lord measures
with exactness every possibility for service. The unused capabilities
are just as much brought into account as those that are used. We shall