AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT
(Only man called such, never faltered, never fell into sin)
Daniel 6:3; 5:12 (Prov. 17:27)

Background of Daniel's life.   Taken from family, home, land and country to a foreign land,
foreign culture, named changed over, 70 years - under 3 pagan kings -
Preferred above the presidents and princes.

  1. Problems Did Not Make Him Bitter.
    If anyone had an excuse to gripe, complain - was not a cry baby - was not on a continal
    pity party.   Man is born to trouble - Job 14:1,2; Ecc. 2:23.

  2. Was Not Negative Nor An Eternal Pessimist.
    Was power conscious - was not problem conscious - was promise conscious.
    Did not enlarge on dark side or negative.   How we react under adverse circumstances
    does determine outcome - How do trials of life affect you?   (Ball of baked clay - wax -
    rubber ball - hammer.)

  3. Others Recognized God In His Life.   4:9; 5:11.
    A candlestick shines brightest when it is the darkest.
    Spirit - eternal - given by God internal - the heart - source of - fountain - eternal -visible,
    that which others see.

HOW IT IS POSSIBLE TO HAVE A MORE EXCELLENT SPIRIT.

  1. Trusting Attitude - Rom. 8:28; Like Joseph - you meant it for evil - God meant for good.

  2. Positive Attitude - Phil. 4:13; II Cor. 9:8; Eph. 3:20.

  3. Thankful Attitude - Phil. 4:8; James 1:2-4; Changed kings - changes empires - His Spirit
    commanded attention.

  4. Determined Attitude - Dan. 1:8; Such a spirit is not an accident.   Does not just wake up
    with such a Spirit one day.

  5. Servant Attitude - God had put him there, recognized sovereignity of God - in authority,
    was in power by hand of God, was not necessary to submit.   Served Godly men - thus was
    elevated.   Did not compromise.   Phil. 2:5-8; Matt. 20:28.

  6. Tested Attitude - Dan. 6:4,5.   After every blessing - great testing.   Neither was
    there any error or fault found in him.       6:4, He Was Faithful!   Only could set a trap - subtle
    - sneaking - twisted.   God did not fail him in that hour.   Josh. 21:45; I Kings 8:56; Heb.
    13:5,6.

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