AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT

There are many people in the Bible that we can pattern our lives around. Daniel just happens to be one of my favorites . “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” Daniel 1:8.

When Daniel was young, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon had overtaken Jerusalem and besieged it. He called for all the gifted and talented among the children of Israel to be taught the ways and language of the Chaldeans. Daniel was one of the children chosen. However, he refused to set aside the teaching and training he had received before he had been taken into this foreign land.

What catches my attention about Daniel is that he had purposed certain things in his heart from a very young age, and when those things were challenged, he stood strong in what he believed. Not only did he stand strong, he also stood up to the ones telling him how his new life would be. In the day and times we now live in, we are challenged most everyday to compromise a little here and a little there. That is why it is so important for us to know what we believe and why we believe it. We must listen to God for our own lives and not follow the other voices telling us that they have the right way. THERE IS ONLY ONE WAY AND HIS NAME IS JESUS.

If we are willing to stand up quickly for what we know is right, even in the smallest of details, I believe that we will have the same excellent spirit and unchangeable mind that Daniel had and the favor and blessings of God will be on our lives as they were on his. “ Now God had brought Daniel into favor and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs” Daniel 1:9. Then Daniel 6:3-4 tells us “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. 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.” God knew at this point that He could trust Daniel because he had settled things in his heart and he was unwilling to violate God's laws. Can we honestly say that about ourselves?

You know the rest of the story. The presidents and princes were still looking for a way to trip Daniel up so they convinced the king to sign a decree that anyone asking a petition of any god or man for thirty days would be put in the lions den. Daniel carried on his life as usual by praying three times a day. He did not wait until he was on his way to the lions den to build his spiritual house. He had built his spiritual house at a very young age.

“My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lion's mouths, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before Him innocency was found in me: and also before thee, O king have I done no hurt.” Daniel 6:22. Look at how this verse parallels with what was said about Jesus in Luke 23:4 . “Then said Pilate to the chief priests and to the people, I find no fault in this man.”

We should be working towards this as a goal in our own lives. If anyone knows that you are a Christian, you can be assured that they are watching you.

What sets you apart and makes you different from a nonbeliever? Do you present yourself to the world in such a way that when they look for fault in you they can't find any? The behavior of Daniel tells me that a life of integrity can be achieved. Situation ethics is a copout.

The world is watching you. Just like they watched Daniel, some people will want you to fall on your face, while others like the king will want you to prove that your God is God.

Remember to live each day from the inside out.

“He that believeth on Me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water .” John 7:38

Sandra

Sandra Hall may be reached at tylersmimi@gmail.com