Daniel (Greek) 1:17-21: a reflection

17Now as for these four youths, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom; and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams. 18At the end of the days which the king had appointed for bringing them in, the prince of the eunuchs brought them in before Nebuchadnezzar. 19The king talked with them; and among them all was found no one like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. Therefore they served the king. 20In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters who were in all his realm. 21Daniel continued serving even to the first year of King Cyrus.

As Daniel and his three friends complete their training in Babylon, the text notes the source of their remarkable ability: God gave these four young men knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom. When the king examined them, he found them far better than all his magicians and enchanters. Their excellence was real; but the text is careful to name its source: it was God who gave them their knowledge and skill. Their ability was God's gift, which they used faithfully in the place where God had put them.

Notice how the text credits the young men's ability: God gave them knowledge and skill. Their excellence was genuine, and it served them well; but it was not self-generated. It was God who gave them their wisdom and skill; their ability was his gift. And they used it faithfully, serving in the pagan court where God had placed them, without compromising their faithfulness to God. God gave the gift; they used it faithfully in their place.

That is a good pattern for how we regard and use our own abilities. Whatever knowledge, skill, or ability we have, it is, like the young men's, God's gift; we did not generate it ourselves, but received it from him. To recognize this keeps us humble and grateful, rather than proud, about our abilities. And we are to use our God-given abilities faithfully, in the place where God has put us, as Daniel and his friends used theirs faithfully in Babylon. Recognize your abilities as God's gift, holding them humbly and gratefully, rather than taking pride in them as self-generated. And use them faithfully where God has placed you, as these young men used their God-given skill faithfully in the pagan court. Your abilities are God's gift; receive them with gratitude, hold them with humility, and use them faithfully for him, in the place where he has put you, as Daniel and his friends did.

Lord, as Daniel and his friends completed their training, the text notes the source of their remarkable ability: you gave these four young men knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom, and the king found them far better than all his magicians; their excellence was real, but it was your gift, which they used faithfully where you had put them. Give me that good pattern for how I regard and use my own abilities. Whatever knowledge, skill, or ability I have, it is, like theirs, your gift; I did not generate it myself, but received it from you. Help me recognize this, that I may hold my abilities humbly and gratefully, rather than proudly, as self-generated. And help me use my God-given abilities faithfully, in the place where you have put me, as Daniel and his friends used theirs faithfully in Babylon. Help me recognize my abilities as your gift, holding them humbly and gratefully; and use them faithfully where you have placed me. My abilities are your gift; help me receive them with gratitude, hold them with humility, and use them faithfully for you, Lord, in the place where you have put me, as Daniel and his friends did.