A Powerful Combination
Daniel 6:19-21 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.” Daniel answered, “King, live forever! My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”
As we saw yesterday, when you and I operate in a spirit of excellence, it has the habit of agitating the demons of mediocrity in some of the people around us. That brings its critics and its enemies. How do you handle that? What’s the answer?
The thing that landed Daniel in the lion’s den all those years ago was the jealousy of his peers at his elevation above them – a promotion that happened because the guy was honest and decent and worked hard. Daniel had a spirit of excellence.
So his peers conspired, tricked King Darius, and that … well, that seemed to be the end of him. He was thrown into the lion’s den. It was sealed with a huge rock – game over. But …
Daniel 6:19-21 The next morning, King Darius got up just as it was getting light and ran to the lions’ den. He was very worried. When he got to the lions’ den, he called to Daniel. He said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God been able to save you from the lions? You always serve your God.” Daniel answered, “King, live forever! My God sent his angel to save me. The angel closed the lions’ mouths. The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent. I never did anything wrong to you, King.”
It’s easy to become despondent when you’re working hard, doing your very best, and as a direct result, other people stab you in the back. But that’s exactly what happens. So what is the answer?
Be excellent anyway, and leave the others to God! Be excellent anyway, and put your faith in the God who is able to reward you and to save you.
The lions have not hurt me because my God knows I am innocent.
Excellence and faith. It’s a powerful combination.
That’s God’s Word. Fresh … for you … today.
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