AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT!
“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 6:3
*Comment:* An excellent spirit is the invisible force of God that enables a person to exhibit spiritual fruits. It is characterized by calmness, gentleness, firmness, and an air of peace. Key traits include knowledge, wisdom, understanding of God’s ways, and discretion. As King Solomon said, “A man of understanding is of an excellent spirit” (Proverbs 17:27).
Daniel the prophet of God is a good example of a man of an excellent spirit. When King Nebuchadnezzar decreed that all his wise men, the magicians, astrologers or Chaldeans including Daniel and three other Jews among them should be killed because they could not tell him his dream and the interpretation thereof, Daniel and the other Jews pleaded with counsel and wisdom to be given more time to answer the king. – Daniel 2:1-16.
Daniel and three others prayed to God, who revealed the dream and its interpretation to Daniel. He then shared it with King Nebuchadnezzar, explaining that it foretold God’s everlasting kingdom that will consume all others (Daniel 2:17-45).
Daniel’s excellent spirit and abilities earned him recognition. He later interpreted another dream for Nebuchadnezzar (Daniel 4:1-37) and was recommended to interpret the writing on a banquet hall wall due to his exceptional skills (Daniel 5:12, 14).
It is because Daniel had an excellent spirit that King Darius of Medes & Persia wanted Daniel to be the head of all his presidents. – Daniel 6:3.
*Prayer:* Give us Our heavenly Father and God an excellent spirit as was given to Daniel for us to always find favor in Thy sight through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.