an excellent spirit

As we consider Daniel’s life, we can see that he had times when he was valued and revered, and times when he was forgotten and overlooked. We first met Daniel when he was a young teenage exile thrust into leadership in the Babylonian empire. Over time he was promoted and trusted with solving king Nebuchadnezzar’s problems, Daniel also had responsibility in the kingdom. Then, years later, during Belshazzar’s reign, Daniel is unknown. Daniel went from a position of prominence to oblivion. The influence and responsibility he once had disappeared, and the Belshazzar does not even know who Daniel is. He is only informed about Daniel in his last hours on earth, yet Daniel is still introduced to him as someone of excellent character and capability, and proves his God-given ability to continue to solve dilemma, he has not changed. Next comes Darius, (the conqueror of Babylon), and we find out in the following verses his impression of Daniel; 

It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; *2*and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. *3*Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Daniel 6:1–6:3.

Darius again discovers the 'excellent spirit' that is in Daniel that Belshazzar was ignorant of, and Darius commends and elevates Daniel's position once again. From prominence in his youth, to a substantial time of oblivion from public servitude, to again a period of recognition and responsibility when he is approaching 90 years old! 

Yet, Daniel’s character and faith had not changed. He is a man of God from chapter 1 throughout his life, even during the overlooked years he remains faithful to God, as when he is introduced to Belshazzar, it is as a man with ‘an excellent spirit, knowledge and understanding’, so clearly his reputation and character had not changed, just the position that he was given by men had. 

We see from this account of Daniel’s life that wherever Daniel was, and whatever job role he had, he was still a man who had ‘an excellent spirit’. Is that how you are known wherever you are, whatever you are doing?

How we behave, how we regard God should not change even when situations in life do. God does not change, but man's opinion and esteem of us can, just like it did with Daniel. Some people will appreciate the God-given abilities we have, others will reject and hate it.

Daniel stood out because he was a follower of God. No matter where he was or what he was doing, he was faithful and committed to serving God from his youth through to old age. This made him different in how he handled himself and other people. It was something outstanding and undefinable to the rest of the world, so some accepted it and others rejected it. Nebuchadnezzar did not understand it, but he made use of the wisdom and insight of Daniel, Belshazzar rejected and ignored it, and Darius put to work the ‘excellent spirit’ within him. It is the same for you. People will either accept you for who you are, or they will reject you. If you are living a God-fueled life, do not be surprised by it, but remain faithful. Jesus tells us we will be rejected by some on account of our faith (Luke 10:16 ‘the one who rejects you rejects me’). It is not really us that is accepted or rejected, but the one whom we accept as the Living God. Daniel experienced it, and if you are serious about your faith you will experience it too. When we live our lives for God, it is acceptable to some and repugnant to others. It is the Jesus in you that they are accepting or rejecting. So do not despair if you are being overlooked or rejected. Take comfort in the fact that this happens for the glory of God, because you are displaying Jesus to people and not everyone can handle it, and take inspiration from the life of Daniel also lived unnoticed and unappreciated - but he did not fail to continue following God, to continue to be the man of ‘excellent spirit’ that he was. 

The truth is that when we live for God, we cease to live for mankind, or even for ourselves. When we truly have ‘an excellent spirit’, it does not matter which opportunities come or go, we will still have our character, and our God. We take that wherever we are and whatever we do, are you a person of excellent spirit?

The power of gifts and community

This week, I have been struck by the way Daniel sees himself in the second chapter of Daniel, particularly in just this one verse;

To you, O God of my fathers, 

I give thanks and praise, 

for you have given me wisdom and might, 

and have now made known to me what we asked of you, 

for you have made known to us the king’s matter.” 

Daniel 2:23.

This verse is the end of Daniel’s recorded prayer after Nebuchadnezzar’s dream had been revealed to Daniel and his friends. 

Daniel recognises the gifts God has given him, ‘you have given me wisdom and might’.  Remember, Daniel is still a young man in this part of the book, possibly late teens yet he already knows who he is - a man of understanding and strength. Isn’t that pretty powerful?! 

Daniel is secure and unafraid to admit that his characteristics have been passed down from His God - like we inherit things from biological parents - we also inherit gifts from our Father in heaven. Daniel recognises that and is grateful for it. He admits and accepts that he has been given wisdom and might from God, as, a few verses before, Daniel has mentioned that all wisdom and strength are God’s. So, now he acknowledges that God has imparted some of that wisdom and might to himself. He is not ashamed of it, he accepts that this is how God has gifted him. He doesn’t feel proud of himself for his understanding and strength, as if he acquired them himself through study and hardwork, but he gives all credit to God. Eventhough Daniel, in reality, has been studying for 3 years (as a captive of the Babylonians). Yet he realises this knowledge he has is not from dedicated effort or appropriate learning from books or others, it is an insight, an understanding, a wisdom that only God can provide.

We see here how God has imparted part of His own character - his wisdom and might to Daniel. What part of Himself has God imparted to you? 

Each of us are made in the image of God as it tells us this in Genesis .Therefore we all, like Daniel, have inherited some of God’s character due to being made in His image - isn't that incredible?! What we see here with Daniel as well, is that he doesn't play down the fact that he is gifted in certain areas, but instead he acknowledges and accepts them, then uses them. God gives us gifts not to amuse ourselves or to just lay dormant, but they are an impartation to you to use that you may demonstrate to the world some of God's character! 

Daniel accepts and acknowledges  that he is graced with wisdom and might. He is not embarrassed by it, but he sees how he has something others don’t, and he gives God the credit - this is the right way to appreciate the way God has made you. By using his God-given abilities, Daniel saves lives and reveals who God is to the current king - that’s pretty epic! 

What could you achieve if you start to accept and acknowledge the character that God has imparted to you?

Another thing I notice from this verse is that Daniel takes no credit for the revelation he has received, do you notice that? He says, ‘for you have made known to us the king’s matter.’ Do you notice that little word, ‘us’? Daniel very graciously admits that the revelation is due to his friends as well as himself praying. He recognises the group effort, and that the revelation, the breakthrough belongs to them all, not just to him. 

Daniel has not prayed alone or been in this situation alone, he and his friends are immersed in it together. Therefore the recognition belongs to them all. As they have prayed together, so they share the joy together. Daniel knows his value as part of this faith community, and he honours the fact that this success is theirs too.

When you pray about significant matters, do you pray in community? 

Who are those that you can invite to pray with you? 

When you pray with others, do you also share the victory and celebrate the breakthrough together?

Daniel accepts, values and reaches out to the friends of faith in his life, make sure that you have people in your life that you can do the same with - this is what it is to be the family of God. It is not easy to trust people with the innermost hurts and difficult situations, i know, i am one that finds it hard to share, but we can see time and again throughout the Bible where prayer in community brings change. In Daniel alone, we see how Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah, the firm faith-filled friends; interpreted dreams, helped rule a nation, escaped death and saved lives! Through walking faithfully with God, acknowledging their opportunities and gifts, and by working together. 

If you want to see things change, if you want to grow in your faith, then spend some time figuring out what your gifts are - ask God, ask others, they will help you. Accept and acknowledge how God has made you, and get others of faith with you through thick and thin and see what God can do. With these four lads - captives, young, vulnerable, faithful and faith-filled, God was able to influence kings, and demonstrate that He is, "God of gods and Lord of lords"! (v17)

I wonder what you and I could do if we gathered together, prayed, celebrated and accepted our God-given gifts...