08/16/2026
SUNDAY THOUGHTS: A Spirit of EXCELLENCE!
Daniel was a man of excellence, and because of that, the king promoted him to a position of great influence and authority (see Daniel 63).
Daniel was also a man who refused to compromise. Even if his choices endangered his life, he would not compromise.
He believed strongly in keeping his commitments, promises, and vows, and he was willing to endure personal discomfort to do so.
The Bible says we should do what we say we are going to do even if it is hard or brings negative consequences.
In Daniel chapter 6, the king signed a decree stating that anyone who asked a petition of any god or person besides the king for thirty days would be cast into a den of lions. Daniel refused to stop praying to God and was indeed sent into the lions' den; however, no harm came to him because God miraculously shut the lions' mouths. The king was so impressed with Daniel's decision and the miraculous way God took care of him that he issued a decree that all the people had to fear and tremble before Daniel's God, for He was indeed the living God.
Our God is an excellent God, and He has called us to be excellent too. To be excellent is a decision we must make, and it means we should always go the extra mile to do things the very best way they can be done. And, we should strive to do what we believe God would do in a situation similar to the one we are in. Make a decision today to be excellent!
