Pathway To excellence

It will not work on the
In one form or way or the other, a faithful man of God can find his way into a king's palace or government. In the case of three close friends in the book of Daniel, Daniel, Hananiah and Mishael, they got into a place of power by way of captivity.
These three men were among those chosen to be king's counselors, wisemen, astrologers, and so on.

As usual, people so chosen are entitled to certain provisions from the king's house. They were their rights without controversy. The holy Scriptures read thus,
"And the king appointed them a daily provision of the king's meat, and of the wine which he drank: so nourishing them three years, that at the end thereof they might stand before the king." Daniel 1:5.
There was a daily provision which was sufficient for each person. No room whatsoever for leanness. The were to be fed fat. Food was available as well as wine which can be taken to their satisfaction. After all, it is their entitlement.

On the other hand, what some people are praying for, to be in the palace for comfort and enjoyment was handed over to others without any stress which was rejected. Is it foolishness or arrogance that made them refuse to partake of the king's delicacies? The answer is an emphatic "No!"
"But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. Daniel
Prove thy servants, I beseech thee, ten days; and let them give us pulse to eat, and water to drink." Daniel 1:8, 12.

The four men by purpose of heart and declaration from the mouth of Daniel refused to eat the king's food and wine without the fear of what the king will say if they look ugly and not attractive.
They opted for a second food of beans with ordinary water. The officer who took care of these set of people feared the king and possible decree of death sentence that may be placed on him did not want to heed the words of Daniel but they arrived at a compromise. They were placed on beans and water only probation for ten days to observe their countenance.

What was the outcome?

The Holy Scriptures disclose,
"So he consented to them in this matter, and proved them ten days.
And at the end of ten days their countenances appeared fairer and fatter in flesh than all the children which did eat the portion of the king's meat.
Thus Melzar took away the portion of their meat, and the wine that they should drink; and gave them pulse." Daniel 1:14-16.
These four men who could deny themselves of the king's delicacies were physically better than all those who feasted on the provisions from the king's house. They sacrificed their portion in exchange for God's glory to cover them. It was profitable to them.

Not only that, they were intellectually better than their colleagues who were given to eating king's delicacies and drinking wine.
How far is this true? The Holly Bible confirms,
"And the king communed with them; and among them all was found none like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: therefore stood they before the king.
And in all matters of wisdom and understanding, that the king enquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers that were in all his realm. Daniel 1:19-20
Those four men who distinguished themselves from the multitude of men who could not deny themselves were ten times better than their peers. The king himself realised and recognized this in the lives of God's people.

In what area of your life do you want excel in life? Please, deny yourself of certain things that will not give room for doing better than your peers. If you do as others are doing, you will surely get their common results. You have to deny yourself to achieve excellence.
Stay blessed and prepare to meet the Lord Who is coming soon.

The Author is the set man of CTFM(WORLD OUTREACH)and Presiding Pastor of Christ Restland Gospel Church.He is a Poet and author of many books. Visit his blogsites www.4thlink.wordpress.com and www.peacelink.wordpress.com for more quality contents.