Daily Devotional

Jack was taller, bigger, and more mature and aggressive than all the rest of us boys in my grade school days (k–8). He liked it that way. He enjoyed threatening and tormenting others. More than one of us had gotten attacked by him. One of those was my best friend, John Kliegl. There was always something different about John, in the best way. You might say that he possessed an excellent spirit.

Most of us guys avoided Jack. Many of us wanted to help some unfortunate boy who was caught in one of Jack’s webs. But we were all too fearful, including me. Who wants to get beat up? But John’s spirit would not let him step away continually from these injustices.

One day he confronted Jack as he was bullying some weaker, more timid boy. John stepped in and told him to stop what he was doing. Jack turned on him. John was not big or strong, except in spirit. But he stood up to Jack. The result was a bloodied face, but he did not back down. Jack had to finally walk away as John helped the victim he had sought to shield. We were all amazed at John from that day.

In the scriptures there was also an amazing man, Daniel. We are familiar with his history and exploits.

“There is a man in your kingdom in whom
 is the spirit of the holy gods.
 In the days of your father, light and understanding and wisdom
like the wisdom of the gods were found in him,
and King Nebuchadnezzar, your father—
your father the king—made him chief of the magicians,
enchanters, Chaldeans, and astrologers,
because an excellent spirit, knowledge,
and understanding to interpret dreams,
explain riddles, and solve problems were found in this Daniel,
whom the king named Belteshazzar.
Now let Daniel be called,
and he will show the interpretation.” 
Daniel 5:11–12, ESV

Daniel was credited by the queen with many astounding abilities. She declared that he possessed an “excellent spirit.” The NASB calls it an “extraordinary spirit.” It was even declared that a spirit of the holy gods was in him.

This same excellent spirit is in all of us who have come to Christ in repentance and faith, all who have been born-again. We each do possess not “the spirit of the holy gods,” but the very Holy Spirit of the one true God!

In our fleshly nature many things come naturally. For example, Proverbs declares that “any fool can quarrel” (Proverbs 20:3). But it takes somebody with a special spirit to risk life and limb to stand up against a stronger opponent, especially while interceding on behalf of a persecuted brother or sister.

James and John wanted to live to that old spirit, and call down fire from heaven on a city that did not respond positively to Jesus. But He said these words to them, “You do not know what spirit you are of. The Son of Man did not come to kill, but to bring life!” Luke 9:55–56, NASB. Jesus was referring to an excellent spirit, like Daniel and John had.

None of us likely has all Daniel’s gifts, but we all have the same Spirit of God in us, and in Him many excellent and extraordinary gifts. We also can use these gifts of knowledge and insight to solve difficult problems, and do the work of ministry to which God directs us.

Oh! How gifted you are, O son or daughter of the Living God! What equipment has been laid at your feet to take up on behalf of the cause of the kingdom! The righteous are as bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1), and you are one of these! All things are possible for you! (Mark 9:23). Why? Because His divine power has granted to us everything pertaining to life and godliness (2 Peter 1:3).

So press on in faith, in things both small and great. We have all come forth, like Jesus did, to bring forth life in His name. Go to your work with your extra-ordinary spirit!

Read: Daniel chapters 5–6, 2 Peter 1:1–11
Sing: “Onward, Christian Soldiers”, by Sabine Baring-Gould

"English Standard Version (ESV)
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers."