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An Excellent Spirit Was In Him: A Review Of Daniel's Life


An Excellent Spirit Was In Him: A Review Of Daniel's Life:

    Daniel 6:3 KJV
    Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

    Daniel 5:14 KJV
    I have even heard of thee, that the spirit of the gods is in thee, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom is found in thee.

    Daniel Had An Excellent Spirit


    Among high-profile Prophets whose life and ministry were penned down in the holy writ, Daniel was and still remains outstanding in terms of excellence, both in his ministry and otherwise.

    When you go through the book of Daniel you will notice that there were neither many prophecies, lamentations nor mighty signs and wonders. The content is brief, rich and straight to the point. The nature of his ministry thrills me! But what made Daniel so spectacular? The answer is simple: a Spirit of Excellence was in him.

    Daniel made jaw-dropping impacts which may not be seen as feasible by many Christians today. But I can assure you that today's Christians can lead the same life as Daniel if they're willing.

    The Spirit which was in Daniel wasn't a strange spirit. He was the same Holy Spirit who is in true believers of the LORD today. He is the Spirit of Excellence. Within Him is the ability to do the impossible and attain heights which man's natural abilities can not grant him.

    Isaiah 11:2 KJV
    And the spirit of the Lord shall rest upon him, the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the Lord.

    Daniel was extremely productive! His countenance reflected the glory of God. The world saw and envied; the King saw and marvelled! He bore the fruits of righteousness to the fullest. And the major secret behind that was because he allowed the LORD to work on him!

    The LORD expects us to likewise give Him the right of way to work on us so through the Holy Spirit in us so that we will stand out among the crowd, where ever we find ourselves.

    Philippians 1:10-11 KJV
    That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ; [11] Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.

    Also notice the fact that throughout his lifetime, Daniel was never a step farther from God. He cultivated the habit of abiding in Him.

    John 15:4-5 KJV
    Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me. [5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
    If we allow God to work on us; if we learn to abide in Him, like Daniel we can also make impacts that are hard to fathom by the average Christian!

    Virtues That Were Found In Daniel


    The book of Daniel reveals in detail the virtues which Daniel possessed. I strongly believe that if we allow the Holy Spirit to cultivate these virtues in us, we too can attain excellence in whatever we do.

    Self-Discipline: Daniel was noted for being self-disciplined among his friends and other inhabitants of Babylon. He never allowed the fact that he found himself in the King's court to make him go over-board to do things that would displease God.

    Daniel 1:8 KJV
    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.
    If Daniel were to be alive today, many would see him as a "no-nonsense" person. And that's who he was.

    Commitment And Devotion to God: Daniel was totally committed and devoted to the LORD. He had a prayer schedule which he followed up strictly.

    Daniel 6:10 KJV
    Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

    Daniel's relationship with God was intimate. If we're serious with God, the outcome will always manifest in our lives for many to see.

    Compromise Was Not In His Schedule: Daniel was one who was never ready to compromise his faith for anything. He knew His God was above everything and nothing was worth coming between him and God.

    Daniel 6:4-10 KJV
    Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. [5] Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. [6] Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever. [7] All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. [8] Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. [9] Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree. [10] Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
    The intentions of other envious princes were to cause Daniel to compromise his faith. But little did they know that God was more important to him. He wasn't afraid of any threat that was targeted towards his faith.

    Character: Daniel's character was worth the position he was elevated to. He walked blamelessly before the LORD and before the king. The only thing people could do was to bring accusations against him but that never worked.

    Daniel 6:4 KJV
    Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

    Most times our character can get us where our gifts and abilities can't. Let's learn from Daniel.

    He Was Principled: Daniel didn't live a life of "anything goes". The fact that something is legal doesn't mean it is ethical. Like Apostle Paul, Daniel understood that all things are lawful but not all things are helpful.

    1 Corinthians 6:12 KJV
    All things are lawful unto me, but all things are not expedient: all things are lawful for me, but I will not be brought under the power of any.
    Integrity And Holiness: Daniel had the needed integrity that qualified him for the position he occupied. Besides, he lived a holy life. We know that David was a man after God's own heart. His story portrays God's mercy. But Daniel's life did beat that of David hands down in terms of integrity! Daniel could not afford getting himself into a situation like that of David. Of a truth he had the Spirit of excellence and choose to let that Spirit lead and run his life. There's a great lesson for us to learn from this!

    Studious: The king was searching for people who were rich in knowledge, and Daniel was one of those people. Opportunity will always come but it only goes with those who are equipped for it.

    Daniel 1:3-4 KJV
    And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king's seed, and of the princes; [4] Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skilful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king's palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.

    The fact that Daniel was among the chosen ones tells us that he was knowledgeable in almost all the areas mentioned in the above Scripture, and that was because he didn't joke with his studies. Daniel 9:2 confirms this.

    Daniel 9:2 KJV
    In the first year of his reign I Daniel understood by books the number of the years, whereof the word of the Lord came to Jeremiah the prophet, that he would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem.

    The saying that readers are leaders is true. Even God is against those who don't study.
    Hosea 4:6 KJV
    My people are destroyed for lack of knowledge: because thou hast rejected knowledge, I will also reject thee, that thou shalt be no priest to me: seeing thou hast forgotten the law of thy God, I will also forget thy children.
    2 Timothy 2:15 KJV
    Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.
    Humility: Above all, Daniel was humble. He didn't let his wisdom, knowledge and understanding get in his head to make him look down on other princes who were under him (despite the fact that they were envious of him).

    Why We Should Lead A Daniel Kind of Life

    God's Blessings: Daniel was engulfed in the blessings of the LORD. The envy of other princes, the tests and temptations from the king could not stop him from excelling everyday. He was like a tree planted beside the river whose leaves are ever green and never withers! We too can walk in these kind of blessings if we follow the footsteps of Daniel.

    Favour And Elevation: He was highly favoured and set above other princes and wise men men in the Kingdom. That can only be God's favour!

    Daniel 6:3 KJV
    Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

    Leading a life like that of Daniel attracts favour from the LORD.

    Trust: Daniel's integrity alone earned him the trust of both God and the King. We must be trustworthy to get entrusted!

    A Fulfilled Destiny: Above all he had a fulfilled destiny. Sampson didn't due to the kind of life he lived, despite how powerfully Anointed he was.

    The Bottom Line


    The life of Daniel is worth our emulation as Christians. We can go on and on concerning him. He didn't live for himself but for the LORD. He left his life in the hands of God and totally leaned on Him alone. He was completely submitted to God.
    He modelled what the Christian life should be like and God was pleased with him.

    I personally hunger to walk in the Daniel kind of Anointing! What about you? It's not all about pulling out big gates and tearing the mouth of lions. It's about pleasing the LORD with our lives and in everything we do. Amen!


    This post first appeared on IBlogGospel | Daily Devotionals, Christian Dream Symbols, Warfare Prayers, please read the originial post: here

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