EXPOSITION:
Academic excellence is the demonstrated ability to perform, achieve, and/or excel in school activities. Academic excellence has been identified with achieving high grades and superior performance. The desire to excel in any life’s endeavour is natural and universal. However, mere wishes cannot guarantee excellence or success for anyone. Every Christian youth must therefore understand what excellence entails and exhibit the willingness to pay that price. Many youth end up in academic failures not because it is God’s plan for them neither is it because they lack the ability to succeed, but because they are ignorant of the fundamental principles of academic excellence.
Daniel and the three Hebrew youth found themselves in an environment comparable to second cycle or tertiary institutions today. God granted them divine wisdom and understanding which made them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers when they were tested in the land of Babylon. This became possible because God was on their side and they also implemented all the techniques of effective study skills to come out with flying colours. That is to say, a closer walk with God, trusting in Him, working hard and applying the principles of success are prerequisite to achieving academic excellence. It is only through these that the Lord grants the divine grace to be ten times better in all spheres of life.