Daniel 1:3-4 “And the king spake unto Ashpenaz the master of his eunuchs, that he should bring certain of the children of Israel, and of the king’s seed, and of the princes; Children in whom was no blemish, but well favoured, and skillful in all wisdom, and cunning in knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability in them to stand in the king’s palace, and whom they might teach the learning and the tongue of the Chaldeans.”
Ecclesiastes 9:10 “Whatsoever thy hand findeth to do, do it with thy might; for there is no work, nor device, nor knowledge, nor wisdom, in the grave, whither thou goest.”
Colossians 3:23 “And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men”
Not just anyone could stand in the king’s palace in Babylon. The master of the eunuchs sought out those certain children of Israel who demonstrated excellence in their lives and who had earned the right to walk the halls of power, of prestige, and of persuasion. They were clean; they were pure; they will well-respected; they were well-regarded; they were skillful; they were wise; they were learned; they were practiced; and they were prepared. They had honed their craft through their hearty dedication and a lifelong investment to perfect their skills via focused might. In the end, this excellence gave them an opportunity to serve the Lord with impact and influence that would have never transpired if they had squandered their God-given talents and opportunities through atrophy, laziness, or distraction.
Not just anyone can stand in the king’s palace today. Those in power are seeking out others who demonstrate excellence in their lives. They are looking for those who are clean, pure, well-respected, well-regarded, skillful, wise, learned, practiced, and prepared. They are searching for those who have honed their craft through hearty dedication and a lifelong investment to perfect their skills via focused might. In the end, excellence will give us an opportunity to serve the Lord with impact and influence that would never transpire if we squander our God-given talents and opportunities through atrophy, laziness, or distraction.
PLEASE PRAY FOR AMERICAN CHRISTIANS TO PURSUE EXCELLENCE IN OUR LIVES. We should never do so for our own glory or honor, but instead, we should do so in order to enable us to properly represent the Lord as we may someday find ourselves standing in the king’s palace.
