to stand for Christ regardless of what the crowd does. Always remember that one plus God is a majority! McClaren, “The fact that these four boys were from the tribe of Judah, and of noble lineage, is another strik ing fulfillment of prophecy •— the prediction made to Hezekiah after his foolish display of pride (see Isa. 39: 5-7).” The names of the four youth are significant. Daniel means “God is my judge.” That name truly typifies the character of its possessor. Daniel was always conscious of being in the pres ence of Jehovah God — the great Judge of all the earth — and he was determined to please Him no matter what human judges might think. Hananiah means “whom Jehovah hath favored.” Mishael means literal ly “who is comparable to God?” Aza- riah means “whom Jehovah helps.” Surely godly parents must have named these lads. Here is proof of the truth fulness of the promise: “Train up a child in the way he should go: and when he is old, he will not depart from it” (Prov. 22:6). Though these * * * Keep your heart right even when it is sorély- wounded. * * * The man who reaches the top generally possesses the ability to get at the bottom of his problems. * * * The world is not interested in the storms you have encountered, but whether or not you brought in the ship. Children should never be punished with out a definite end in view. * it h Defeat never comes to any man until he first admits it. * * * It's not too difficult to meet expenses these days; one finds them everywhere. * * * It's a good idea to keep both feet on the ground for when you do there's not so far for you to fall. * * * Just because things in the world go wrong doesn't mean we have to go along with them.
side — good students already well trained, and possessing the ability to go on in further education at Babylon. For these young men the king made every gracious provision. They were to be taught the learning of the Chal deans, and during this period of in struction were to be provided with food from the king’s own table. They were to receive a “college education,” so to speak, with all expenses paid. Why did the king go to all this trou ble and expense? These men were to be thoroughly prepared so that at the end of three years of study “they might stand before the king.” This was not simply that he might behold their personal beauty, but rather that he might profit from the wise advice they would be able to give. In spite of all his faults, Nebuchadnezzar had many kingly qualities. He realized the great responsibility that was his in the government of his vast new em pire, and he wanted the best of coun selors, not even scorning men of other nations than his own. Matthew Henry has well written: “He did not, like Ahasuerus (of the Book of Esther), appoint them to choose him out young women for the service of his lusts, but young men for the service of his government.” For the first time, four of the He brew youth are now introduced by name. There is no indication as to the total number of boys chosen, but evi dently there were a good many. From this large number these^four stand out. The rest are now forgotten. In no library on earth can their names be found, or even their total number. But Daniel and his three friends still bear a living testimony. Why ? Be cause even in a day when everything seemed against them, and there were apparently no human helpers to whom they could turn, nevertheless they were determined that they would be faithful to God, and obedient to His will regardless of the cost. “Only one life, ’twill soon be past; only what’s done for Christ will last.” So today the lives that really count are not those that merely “go along with the crowd,” but those who are determined
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