As a youth pastor I love reading stories like those in today’s scripture reading.  The Book of Daniel tells the story of four pretty amazing young men (likely teenagers): Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah.  These days when we talk about these four guys we still call Daniel by his actual name, but we usually know the other three guys by their Babylonian names: Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.  Here’s what impresses me about these four guys:

1. They were strong, handsome, smart, and hard-working (Daniel 1)
2. They were given gifts by God such as wisdom and the ability to interpret dreams (Daniel 1:17)
3. They were respectful to authority even when they didn’t agree with it. (Daniel 1:8-13)
4. They stood up for their faith in God even if it meant death.  They were men of honor. (Daniel 3 & Daniel 6)

I’m an Eagle Scout and a fully devoted follower of Christ.  This year I have the privilege of beginning to pass on my love for Scouting to my son, Anderson.  He and I are starting Cub Scouts this week.  Scouting is a great character building organization for boys.  In most cases, it’s not only a good character building program, but also a faith building organization.  These four guys written about in the Book of Daniel would have been good Scouts.  These young men lived honorably and had deep reverence and love for God…so much so that they were willing to give their lives for Him.