Daniel and the three Hebrew boys were exiles. They had been removed from their land. They could have seen it as God having forsaken His people. They could have been mad at God. They could have given up, thinking they had been living right and this awful thing had happened to them. They could have thought, “What’s the point of serving God?”

They didn’t. They remained faithful. They were faced with a test when already in a trying circumstance. They don’t give into the temptation to sin. They stand firm in the faith.

That’s how you resist the devil. You submit to God. You stand firm in your faith that you know who God is. He is Lord Almighty and worthy of your service and obedience.

You can’t resist the devil. He’s stronger and cleverer than you. God has already overcome him, though. Stand in faith. Stand still. Let God save. Choose Him and let God deliver. Just keep choosing God and His ways.

I am sure I have talked about clinging to Jesus. That’s a good thing to do. But actually, in my growth at this point, I don’t even do that. I ask God to be all and do all. I ask Him to hold me fast. I let it be His job to keep me in every way. I can’t save myself. He can!

Daniel and the others obey God’s laws about diet. At the same time, they are honoring and submissive to their authorities, placing the decision in their hands, just asking to be tested before the decision is made.

They do well and please their Father in heaven.

Then we’re told the Lord gives them knowledge and wisdom and skill. Daniel gets a gift of understanding visions and dreams.

I believe those events are directly related. They obeyed. They were blessed.

People seek after gifts from God. Yes, there is a verse about earnestly desiring the gifts, but it’s followed by, “But, there’s a better way.” The better way is love. Love is the fulfillment of the law. Love is the fullest of all obedience to God.

Love and be blessed. Just seek to become love and all these things will be added unto you.