May 9: FAVOR AMONG MEN

Now God had brought Daniel into the favor and goodwill of the chief of the eunuchs. Daniel 1:9

It is no small thing to have the favor and goodwill of those around you. In the situation of Daniel and his friends, such favor meant a great deal, as we will soon see. It was God [who] had brought Daniel into this favorable light. Such a blessing was undoubtedly connected to the love relationship that Daniel had with his God, one consequence of which was his unimpeachable integrity before men.

We should never doubt that God wants to similarly bless us. In this world where Satan is temporarily known as ruler and prince (see John 14:30; Ephesians 2:2), our love for our heavenly Father and the Son whom He sent into the midst of the fray (John 3:16) is to be reflected by a strength of character that exhibits respect toward others, rock-solid trustworthiness, and unquestionable loyalty to God.

Jacob’s eleventh son Joseph, in his integrity, certainly saw both sides of the “appreciation” factor. So Joseph found favor in [Potiphar’s] sight, and served him. Then he made him overseer of his house, and all that he had he put under [Joseph’s] authority (Genesis 39:4). Soon, the input of the enemy landed Joseph in prison. But the LORD was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison… [who] committed to Joseph’s hand all the prisoners who were in the prison…whatever [Joseph] did, the LORD made it prosper (vv.21-23).

Other accounts of the workings of God’s hand to create favor can be found in Ezra 7:27-28 and Nehemiah 2:8. At times it may appear that Satan has the upper hand (see Hebrews 11:35b-40), but God’s people need never forget that the Sovereign of the Universe holds a glorious eternal future for His faithful ones safely in His mighty hand. If in this world I submit my all to God, both my character and my future will be beyond the reach of Satan, even if God allows him to kill me.

As chapter one of Daniel shows us the beginning of the prophesied seventy years of captivity under the Babylonians (Jeremiah 25:11), Daniel and his friends must have been especially thankful for the Scriptural foundation provided by their parents from birth. Jeremiah, though a few decades older than Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, was nevertheless their contemporary. Rejected for the most part by his own countrymen, Jeremiah faithfully reminded his brethren that God had their best interest at heart: For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope (Jeremiah 29:11).

For the eyes of the LORD run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose heart is loyal to Him. 2 Chronicles 16:9a

Honor all people. Love the brotherhood. Fear God. Honor the king. 1 Peter 2:17

Looking further: Proverbs 23:25; Luke 2:52; Philippians 1:20