Nougat 13

I tell you, there’s no satisfaction like exceeding others expectations, especially if they were prepared for the worst. Yet, a word of caution, let’s not get ahead of God. Rather, we can emulate the Hebrew youth, who seemed always to be focused on God’s will. We conclude our reflections on the young men with Todays Holy Nougat

Daniel‬ ‭1‬:‭16‬, ‭19‬ ‭NLT‬‬

“So after that, the attendant fed them only vegetables instead of the food and wine provided for the others. The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. So they entered the royal service.” ‭‭

God’s Spirit of Excellence

I’ve reflected before about walking IN Gods Purpose, WITH Purpose, and ON Purpose; and this is how our Nougat feels. For these four youth knew God’s plans for their lives (In Purpose), to which they were aligned (With Purpose), and they pursued it with all they had (On Purpose). The end result: Ask they did was marked by YHWH’s Spirit of Excellence.

Now, we’ve already rehearsed the proof of their dedication, and even noticed the success of the 10-day rigorous exam. They went on to pass the King’s training with flying colors, impressing him ‘to da max’. Now that’s an achievement! One could say they graduated from advanced training summa cum laude, as the 10-days could be seen as basic training or as an associate degree.

Siblings, they weren’t tested by just any external examiner. It was the king himself Whom they faced, and ‘no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.’ I agree, they were brilliant young men, royalty even. But they were being trained alongside other intelligent royals. Operatively, they were among equals. What distinguished them was their diet, which we’re told was about their dedication to YHWH, and not just a fad.

God honors worship. God honors sacrifice. Our God rewards our intentionality – that’s what the Parable of the Talents is all about (well, some of it). Remember – the workers all got one talent, but their yields were 1, 5, and 10. E we got the sense that yield was proportional to input … i.e., working With Purpose, On Purpose. Despite the odds, frustrations, and fears.

God’s Spirit goes with us when we’re willing to be led. And where God’s Spirit is permitted to dwell, there also is God’s Spirit of Excellence. Yes, we will have setbacks, but we press on, knowing that we press toward the mark of the prize God’s higher calling (see Philippians 3:13-14).

May our lives always be marked by God’s Spirit of Excellence

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May all we seek be found in Christ