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Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him.¹

Isn’t it interesting that the author credits Daniel’s excellence due to a spirit? Yes, it takes effort to achieve excellence. By experience we know that much accomplishment is not without effort. There are the physical laws; e.g., Sowing & Reaping, Seasons, etc. Do you see a man skillful in his work? He will stand before kings; he will not stand before obscure men.² Yet, we cannot discount that there seems to be another factor to the equation—the favor of God.

No one can boast that he is skillful and became one without the help of others. What do you have that you did not receive? If then you received it, why do you boast as if you did not receive it?³ God orchestrated it that way.  When he created man, he said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him a helper fit for him.”⁴ The Hebrew word for helper is Ezer. Because God had powerfully delivered Moses from Pharaoh’s sword, Moses named his son Eliezer—(“The God of my father was my help, and delivered me from the sword of Pharaoh”).⁵

David likewise knew this truth. The LORD is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped; my heart exults, and with my song I give thanks to him.⁶

To Abraham, as it is written, “I have made you the father of many nations”—in the presence of the God in whom he believed, who gives life to the dead and calls into existence the things that do not exist. In hope he believed against hope, that he should become the father of many nations, as he had been told, “So shall your offspring be.” He did not weaken in faith when he considered his own body, which was as good as dead (since he was about a hundred years old), or when he considered the barrenness of Sarah’s womb. No unbelief made him waver concerning the promise of God, but he grew strong in his faith as he gave glory to God, fully convinced that God was able to do what he had promised.⁷ Now the promises were made to Abraham and to his offspring. It does not say, “And to offsprings” referring to many, but referring to one, “And to your offspring,” who is Christ.⁸

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.⁹ Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful. And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near.¹⁰ Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.¹¹ Therefore do not throw away your confidence, which has a great reward. For you have need of endurance, so that when you have done the will of God you may receive what is promised.¹²