Daniel 6:3 (NKJV): Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king (Darius) gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
The word 'excellent' here is 'yattiyr' in Hebrew, from the word 'yathar', meaning 'cause to abound, abounding, make plenteous (plenty)'. Therefore, 'excellent spirit' in this verse can mean 'abounding spirit, abounding heart, full-hearted (not half-hearted)'.
Contrary to what many people think, spirit of excellence here isn't so much about performance or skills (though these are important too), but rather excellence in the heart! Otherwise, the Bible wouldn't have called it 'spirit' ('heart') of excellence, but instead 'performance' of excellence or 'act' of excellence. 'Spirit' here speaks of the 'heart'.
An excellent spirit is therefore an abounding heart, giving one's all (heart), or putting one's heart into something. You see, what matters most is the heart! If one has the heart, everything else will follow suit and can be worked on (including the skills, performance, etc). It is the same even in cooking, for example. You can taste the difference when someone really puts his/her heart into his/her cooking!
God Himself has an excellent spirit (abounding heart), and He excels and abounds in all He does! His heart is always abounding towards you, and He never withholds any good thing from you. In fact, He gave His only begotten Son, Jesus Christ, the very best of heaven, to die for you and save you! (John 3:16-21)
Let's get back to Daniel chapter 6 now. 'Daniel' means 'judge of God' in Hebrew, a 'picture' of Jesus Christ Himself. One day, we too will judge the world together with Him. The Bible says we will even judge angels! (see 1 Corinthians 6:2-3) 1 John 4:17 says that 'we may have boldness in the day of judgment; because as He is, so are we in this world'. And one of the traits that Daniel had was boldness too, one who never bowed down to pressures of men, but instead was faithful till the end (Daniel 6:4-5). Even when the governors and satraps (the officials) conspired to establish a royal statute and made the king sign a decree that 'whoever bows down to any god or man within thirty days, except towards the king himself, shall be cast into the den of lions', Daniel stood firm and continued to worship his God (Daniel 6:10-13).
Daniel 6:14 then says, 'And the king, when he heard these words (that Daniel did not show due regard for the decree that the king had signed), was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver (free) him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver (free) him'. Notice the king was 'greatly displeased with himself', and not with Daniel! When one's heart is abounding towards God, there will be favor (even from men)!
Another trait of excellence that Daniel had is found in Daniel 6:16. This verse says, 'So the king gave the command and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions (for no decree or statute which the king had established may be changed). But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you."' The word 'serve' here is 'pelakh' in Hebrew, which actually means 'worship, minister unto'. In other words, Daniel did not waver, but always abounding in his worship and ministry unto the Lord!
That night, the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him (Daniel 6:18). Then he arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions to see what had become of Daniel (Daniel 6:19). And when he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel, and said, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?", Daniel answered "O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also O king, I have done no wrong before you." (Daniel 6:20-22)
Daniel 6:23 continues, 'Now the king was exceedingly glad for Daniel, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God'. The word 'believed' here is 'aman' in Hebrew, which can mean 'firm, trust, faithful, sure, assured, in quietness (before God), permanent/immovable (before God)'. Yet another trait of excellence found in Daniel!
And Daniel chapter 6 ends with 'so Daniel prospered (advanced, were promoted) in the reign of (king) Darius' (see Daniel 6:28). It certainly pays to have a heart of excellence!
In the New Covenant, Paul too had a heart of excellence. In Romans 1:8-11, he wrote, 'First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit (heart) in the gospel of His Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers... For I long to see you, that I may impart to you some spiritual gift, so that you may be established'.
The expression 'without ceasing' here can be translated as 'always abounding'. In other words, Paul was always abounding in making mention of the believers in his prayers! As you can see, Paul's heart was only for God's kingdom, and not for his own personal gains, advancement, or 'empire'.
In 1 Corinthians 14:12, Paul wrote, 'Even so you, since you are zealous for spiritual gifts, let it be for the edification of the church (i.e. building up of God's people) that you seek to excel'. And in 2 Corinthians 8:7, he wrote, 'But as you abound in everything - in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in all diligence, and in your love for us - see that you abound (excel) in this grace (of giving) also'.
Like Paul, let us seek to excel (abound) in all that God has entrusted us to be (or do), as stewards. Paul himself wrote, 'Imitate (pattern after) me, just as I also imitate (pattern after) Christ' (1 Corinthians 11:1). In Romans 12:2, he also wrote, 'And do not be conformed (patterned after) to this world (or the ways of this world), but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove (i.e. walk in, allow) what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God'.
1 John 4:19 says, 'We love Him because He first loved us'. And Romans 5:5 says, 'Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out (not sprinkled, but lavished) in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us'.
People of God, your heart abounds when you have the revelation of how much He loves you, and how much He wants to lavish you with His love. When you know that He never reserves (or withholds) any good thing from you, and it is Him who first excelled (abounding in His love, devotions, faithfulness) towards you, you can't help but to fall in love with Him. In response, you too will not want to reserve (or withhold) anything in your service towards Him. After all, He gave it all for you at the cross! By the same token, just as He never gave up on us, as ministers of God, let us also learn not to give up on anyone whom He has sent for us to minister to (as long as the person's heart is still open to our ministering), even if it takes lots of patience on our part. Amen.
In the Body of Christ today, all too many people were left disappointed when their motivation to serve is unto men (or men's organization), and many lost the joy of serving because they 'have to do it', instead of they 'want to do it' in their service toward God. Paul certainly knew what he was saying when he wrote, 'Whatever you do, do it heartily (i.e. abounding in your heart) as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord (Jesus) Christ' (Colossians 3:23-24).
Recently, I saw a vision of a beautiful waterfall falling on some people whom I was ministering to. I asked the Lord what this meant, and He said this is a time of refreshing for many who have been serving faithfully through the years. There is a release of such divine refreshing from heaven for the Body of Christ this day. May you receive this refreshing as well, whatever ministry you are involved in (in the Body of Christ). And as you come forth from this 'waterfall', there will be a fresh new radiance and even joy inexplicable that comes from the Lord upon your life and ministry. In Jesus' name. Amen!
