Deeper Reflection
Daniel and his friends already had strong mental abilities – formed by nature and through nurture: “showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well-informed and quick to understand” (v.4, NIV). Then, building on this, “God gave them knowledge and intelligence in every branch of literature and wisdom” (v.17a) through the threeyear training (v.5) and also as a special grace. And for Daniel, he “even understood all kinds of visions and dreams” (v.17b). God had made Daniel exceptional among the four brilliant youths.It is quite natural that we like to be exceptional. But God does not make all of us exceptional. And when God makes a person exceptional, it is purely His sovereign grace. “Sovereign” in that God chooses to do so; and “grace” in that it is not because we qualify for it. But we do not need to be exceptional in order to be significant. Seeking to be “extraordinary Christians” can be a stumbling block, when we think that our significance is defined by that. And it is flawed thinking that we are to be extraordinary because God is an almighty God, and He can make us so.John’s disciples were comparing him with Jesus, that more were being baptised by Jesus than John (Jn 3:26). John’s response was, “A man can receive nothing unless it has been given him from heaven” (Jn 3:27). We don’t have because God has not given us, simple as that. In living by this principle, we will not compare or compete with others, and we will not feel inferior or superior.