16
The Sanctified Life
God Vindicates His Servant
At the end of the ten days the result was found to be quite the
opposite of Melzar’s expectations. Not only in personal appearance,
but in physical activity and mental vigor, those who had been temperate
in their habits exhibited a marked superiority over their companions
who had indulged appetite. As a result of this trial, Daniel and his
associates were permitted to continue their simple diet during the
whole course of their training for the duties of the kingdom.
The Lord regarded with approval the firmness and self-denial of
these Hebrew youth, and His blessing attended them. He “gave them
knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had under-
standing in all visions and dreams” (
Daniel 1:17
). At the expiration of
the three years of training, when their ability and acquirements were
tested by the king, he “found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and
Azariah: therefore stood they before the king. And in all matters of
wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found
[23]
them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were
in all his realm” (
verse 20
).
Self-control a Condition of Sanctification
The life of Daniel is an inspired illustration of what constitutes a
sanctified character. It presents a lesson for all, and especially for the
young. A strict compliance with the requirements of God is beneficial
to the health of body and mind. In order to reach the highest standard
of moral and intellectual attainments, it is necessary to seek wisdom
and strength from God and to observe strict temperance in all the
habits of life. In the experience of Daniel and his companions we
have an instance of the triumph of principle over temptation to indulge
the appetite. It shows us that through religious principle young men
may triumph over the lusts of the flesh and remain true to God’s
requirements, even though it cost them a great sacrifice.
What if Daniel and his companions had made a compromise with
those heathen officers and had yielded to the pressure of the occasion
by eating and drinking as was customary with the Babylonians? That
single instance of departure from principle would have weakened
their sense of right and their abhorrence of wrong. Indulgence of