An Excellent Spirit I find it so encouraging that - even though Daniel was taken as a youth and immersed and even compelled to be trained in all the ways of an idolatrous culture, living there the rest of his life – yet he never “blended in.” Time and again, he was described as having “an excellent spirit.” Daniel’s life was great, because he approached everything with a spirit of excellence. From beginning to end, he served one King – Jehovah God. We live in an era when a spirit of entitlement (It’s all about me), indifference (Whatever) and poor work ethic is common in young people. Philippians 2:14-15 says, “Do all things without complaining and disputing, that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.” Isn’t that exactly what we earnestly hope and pray for our children? Those who do all things with a spirit of excellence will be a light, and be set apart. Will it make others uncomfortable? Yes. Will they accuse you of thinking you’re better? Possibly. In the first year of King Darius, Daniel understood “by the books” the word of the Lord specified by Jeremiah the prophet – that their captivity and the desolation of Jerusalem would last 70 years. (Jer. 25:11 and 29:10) Realizing that the end of 70 years was nearing, Daniel gave himself to plead with God for mercy upon His people and to bring them back to their homeland as He had promised. Daniel was not only a man of prayer and courageous faith, he was a student of God’s Word. He studied the prophecies of Jeremiah. It is possible that Daniel also had the book of Psalms, which was the “Jewish Hymnal,” as well as other portions of Scripture. The king was so impressed with Daniel’s integrity and spirit of excellence, that he considered putting him over the entire realm of his kingdom. A spirit of excellence always sets you apart. And it makes others uncomfortable. In the presence of the king, the other governors disdainfully referred to this honorable man as “That Daniel, one of the captives from Judah.” The goal of Daniel’s enemies was nothing short of death. They weren’t trying to just shut him up or get him to stop praying – they knew him too well for that. The only way to get rid of him was to use his godly devotion against him. It’s funny how spectacularly their plan backfired. Not only was God’s greatness shown on behalf of His servant - miraculously protecting him, and the king’s faith in the God of Daniel strengthened - but “Daniel & the Lions” is surely one of the most widely recognized stories of God’s greatness in history. The Lord says in 1 Samuel 2:30: “Those who honor Me, I will honor.” Let’s ask God to work our hearts and in the hearts of our children - the desire to be students of His Word, devoted to prayer and to honor and shine for Him with an excellent spirit in everything we do – in the midst of this dark, confused and crooked generation.
Posted on: Mon, 17 Jun 2013 01:42:16 +0000
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