An Excellent Spirit
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 (Dan. 6:3 ESV).
Daniel had an excellent spirit. The term “spirit” here is not referring to an angel or the Holy Spirit. It is not referring to a spirit being or personality but an ability. It is called “spirit” because of its invisible influence upon the heart of Daniel. In this verse, we are told exactly what this excellent spirit was in the verse above
“Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel, whom the king named Belteshazzar”
It was a spirit of wisdom, , and understanding. Think about meeting someone who can tell you what you dreamed about, even if you have personally forgotten the dream and then tell you the meaning! This was Daniel. When Daniel interpreted Nebuchadnezzar’s mystery dream, the scripture says “Then the king Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face, and worshipped Daniel” (Daniel 2:46, KJV). Nebuchadnezzar fell upon his face before a Jewish boy— you must be kidding me! You see, the spirit of wisdom is an excellent spirit. This king was just plain wicked, but when a soft spot in his heart was touched through the manifestation of the spirit of wisdom, the little boy inside of him came out.
Can you imagine what would happen if this excellent spirit fills the leaders of this world, fathers in homes, CEOs in companies, etc? It is a spirit that solves mysteries. It knows how to fix and correct human predicaments. The good news is that the Spirit of God imparted that ability which was in Daniel. He still gives that same ability today, and even more. In fact, in addition to the spirit of wisdom, there is the spirit of power that unleashes the supernatural to the amazement of the world.
Church, we are at an advantage in life! The world is increasingly facing issues that are beyond natural abilities. It will take Daniels with the spirit of wisdom in companies or political roles to change the course of nations and institutions. The Lord abundantly pours out this spirit upon you and make you a mystery in your world!
MEDITATE
Was this excellent spirit in Daniel because he was naturally gifted or talented? ( Dan. 2:30)
APPLY THE WORD
The Apostle Paul prayed and asked God for this same spirit to be poured out upon the Ephesians in Eph. 1: 15-17. It is the same excellent spirit. It works in the affairs of men( like Daniel above) but even more importantly in the affairs of God where it reveals God to us. You can pray for this spirit. You can believe for this spirit. And may your life be filled at all times with this excellent spirit, as well as every other facet of the operation of the Spirit in our lives.
PRAY
Ask the Lord to fill you or give you the spirit of wisdom today.