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the principles of His kingdom。 Many are waiting for some great work to be brought to them； while daily they lose opportunities for revealing faithfulness to
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God。 Daily they fail of discharging with wholeheartedness the little duties of life。 While they wait for some large work in which they may exercise supposedly great talents； and thus satisfy their ambitious longings； their days pass away。
In the life of the true Christian there are no nonessentials； in the sight of Omnipotence every duty is important。 The Lord measures with exactness every possibility for service。 The unused capabilities are just as much brought into account as those that are used。 We shall be judged by what we ought to have done； but did not accomplish because we did not use our powers to glorify God。
A noble character is not the result of accident； it is not due to special favors or endowments of Providence。 It is the result of self…discipline； of subjection of the lower to the higher nature； of the surrender of self to the service of God and man。
Through the fidelity to the principles of temperance shown by the Hebrew youth God is speaking to the youth of today。 There is need of men who like Daniel will do and dare for the cause of right。 Pure hearts； strong hands； fearless courage； are needed； for the warfare between vice and virtue calls for ceaseless vigilance。 To every soul Satan comes with temptation in many alluring forms on the point of indulgence of appetite。
The body is a most important medium through which the mind and the soul are developed for the upbuilding of character。 Hence it is that the adversary of souls directs his temptations to the enfeebling and degrading of the physical powers。 His success here often means the surrender of the
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whole being to evil。 The tendencies of the physical nature； unless under the dominion of a higher power； will surely work ruin and death。 The body is to be brought into subjection to the higher powers of the being。 The passions are to be controlled by the will； which is itself to be under the control of God。 The kingly power of reason； sanctified by divine grace； is to bear sway in the life。 Intellectual power； physical stamina； and the length of life depend upon immutable laws。 Through obedience to these laws； man may stand conqueror of himself； conqueror of his own inclinations； conqueror of principalities and powers； of 〃the rulers of the darkness of this world；〃 and of 〃spiritual wickedness in high places。〃 Ephesians 6：12。
In that ancient ritual which is the gospel in symbol； no blemished offering could be brought to God's altar。 The sacrifice that was to represent Christ must be spotless。 The word of God points to this as an illustration of what His children are to be〃a living sacrifice；〃 〃holy and without blemish。〃 Romans 12：1； Ephesians 5：27。
The Hebrew worthies were men of like passions with ourselves； yet； notwithstanding the seductive influences of the court of Babylon； they stood firm； because they depended upon a strength that is infinite。 In them a heathen nation beheld an illustration of the goodness and beneficence of God； and of the love of Christ。 And in their experience we have an instance of the triumph of principle over temptation； of purity over depravity； of devotion and loyalty over atheism and idolatry。
The spirit that possessed Daniel； the youth of today may have； they may draw from the same source of strength；
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possess the same power of self…control； and reveal the same grace in their lives； even under circumstances as unfavorable。 Though surrounded by temptations to self…indulgence； especially in our large cities； where every form of sensual gratification is made easy and inviting； yet by divine grace their purpose to honor God may remain firm。 Through strong resolution and vigilant watchfulness they may withstand every temptation that assails the soul。 But only by him who determines to do right because it is right will the victory be gained。
What a lifework was that of these noble Hebrews！ As they bade farewell to their childhood home； little did they dream what a high destiny was to be theirs。 Faithful and steadfast； they yielded to the divine guiding； so that through them God could fulfill His purpose。
The same mighty truths that were revealed through these men； God desires to reveal through the youth and children today。 The life of Daniel and his fellows is a demonstration of what He will do for those who yield themselves to Him and with the whole heart seek to accomplish His purpose。
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Chapter 40
Nebuchadnezzar's Dream
Soon after Daniel and his companions entered the service of the king of Babylon； events occurred that revealed to an idolatrous nation the power and faithfulness of the God of Israel。 Nebuchadnezzar had a remarkable dream； by which 〃his spirit was troubled； and his sleep brake from him。〃 But although the king's mind was deeply impressed； he found it impossible； when he awoke； to recall the particulars。
In his perplexity； Nebuchadnezzar assembled his wise men〃the magicians； and the astrologers； and the sorcerers〃and besought their help。 〃I have dreamed a dream；〃 he said； 〃and my spirit was troubled to know the dream。〃 With this statement of his perplexity he requested them to reveal to him that which would bring relief to his mind。
To this the wise men responded； 〃O king； live forever： tell thy servants the dream； and we will show the interpretation。〃
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Dissatisfied with their evasive answer； and suspicious because； despite their pretentious claims to reveal the secrets of men； they nevertheless seemed unwilling to grant him help； the king commanded his wise men； with promises of wealth and honor on the one hand； and threats of death on the other； to tell him not only the interpretation of the dream； but the dream itself。 〃The thing is gone from me；〃 he said； 〃if ye will not make known unto me the dream； with the interpretation thereof； ye shall be cut in pieces； and your houses shall be made a dunghill。 But if ye show the dream； and the interpretation thereof； ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honor。〃
Still the wise men returned the answer； 〃Let the king tell his servants the dream； and we will show the interpretation of it。〃
Nebuchadnezzar； now thoroughly aroused and angered by the apparent perfidy of those in whom he had trusted； declared： 〃I know of certainty that ye would gain the time； because ye see the thing is gone from me。 But if ye will not make known unto me the dream； there is but one decree for you： for ye have prepared lying and corrupt words to speak before me； till the time be changed： therefore tell me the dream； and I shall know that ye can show me the interpretation thereof。〃
Filled with fear for the consequences of their failure； the magicians endeavored to show the king that his request was unreasonable and his test beyond that which had ever been required of any man。 〃There is not a man upon the earth；〃 they remonstrated； 〃that can show the king's matter： therefore there is no king； lord； nor ruler； that asked such things
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at any magician； or astrologer； or Chaldean。 And it is a rare thing that the king requireth； and there is none other that can show it before the king； except the gods； whose dwelling is not with flesh。〃
Then 〃the king was angry and very furious； and commanded to destroy all the wise men of Babylon。〃
Among those sought for by the officers who were preparing to fulfill the provisions of the royal decree； were Daniel and his friends。 When told that according to the decree they also must die； 〃with counsel and wisdom〃 Daniel inquired of Arioch； the captain of the king's guard； 〃Why is the decree so hasty from the king？〃 Arioch told him the story of the king's perplexity over his remarkable dream； and of his failure to secure help from those in whom he had hitherto placed fullest confidence。 Upon hearing this； Daniel； taking his life in his hands； ventured into the king's presence and begged that time be granted； that he might petition his God to reveal to him the dream and its interpretation。
To this request the monarch acceded。 〃Then Daniel went to his house； and made the thing known to Hananiah； Mishael； and Azariah； his companions。〃 Together they sought for wisdom from the Source of light and knowledge。 Their faith was strong in the consciousness that God had placed them where they were； that they were doing His work and meeting the demands of duty。 In times of perplexity and danger they had always turned to Him for guidance and protection； and He had proved an ever…present help。 Now with contrition of heart they submitted themselves anew to the Judge of the earth； pleading that He would
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grant them deliverance in this their time of special need。 And they did not plead in vain。 The God whom they had honored； now honored them。 The Spirit of the Lord rested upon them； and to Daniel； 〃in a night vision；〃 was revealed the kin