Have you ever felt destitute or sighed in resignation? Why is it that some are better than others? Is skill innate or is it acquired? Is excellence an attitude or is it caught? What sets one apart from others? These are valid questions for us to ponder particularly when it comes to our choice of leaders.
Now the boy Samuel continued to grow both in stature and in favor with the LORD and also with man.1
He chose David his servant and took him from the sheepfolds; . . . With upright heart he shepherded them and guided them with his skillful hands.2 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, . . . and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the kingdom might suffer no loss. 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.3 What did Samuel, David, and Daniel have in common?
And [Hannah] vowed a vow and said, “O LORD of hosts, if you will indeed look on the affliction of your servant and remember me and not forget your servant, but will give to your servant a son, then I will give him to the LORD all the days of his life, . . .4 The LORD said to Samuel, “. . . go I will send you to Jesse the Bethlehemite, for I have provided for myself a king among his sons.”5 But the LORD said to Samuel, “Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, . . . man looks on the outward appearance but the LORD looks on the heart.”6 Then Samuel took the horn of oil and anointed him . . . . And the Spirit of the LORD rushed upon David from that day forward.7 Then the king commanded . . . to bring some people of Israel, both of the royal family and of the nobility, youths without blemish, of good appearance and skillful in all wisdom, endowed with knowledge, understanding, learning, and competent to stand in the king’s palace, and to teach them . . . The king assigned them a daily portion of the food that the king ate, . . . They were to be educated for three years . . . Among these were Daniel, . . .8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food . . .9 And God gave Daniel favor and compassion . . .10
Are there tell-tale signs to distinguish those whom God had called and chosen?
One, watch their speech. “The word is near you, in your mouth and in your heart” . . . because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.11 Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.12
Two, watch their actions. What you believe manifests in behavior. Watch for consistency; it speaks of character. Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.13 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him.14 For a man’s ways are before the eyes of the LORD, and he ponders all his paths. The iniquities of the wicked ensnare him, and he is held fast in the cords of his sin. He dies for lack of discipline, and because of his great folly he is led astray.15
Notes:
1. 1 Samuel 2:26
2. Psalm 78:70-72
3. Daniel 6:1-3
4. 1 Samuel 1:11
5. 1 Samuel 16:1
6. 1 Samuel 16:7
7. 1 Samuel 16:13
8. Daniel 1:3-6
9. Daniel 1:8
10. Daniel 1:9
11. Romans 10:8-10
12. Proverbs 18:21
13. Hebrews 13:8
14. Daniel 6:4
15. Proverbs 5:21-23
