“Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.” (Daniel 6:3, NASB95)
What do you think of when you consider someone “distinguished?” Do you think royalty or elite? By the simple definition, “distinguish” means the quality of being recognized as different. Granted, everyone is different in some way, but the distinguished believer is one who has something about them that makes them different from the fallen world.
Daniel had been living in exile for most of his adult life. He came to Babylon as a young adult and was empowered by God to interpret dreams and visions. He faithfully served Yahweh God by being God’s spokesperson to Nebuchadnezzar and Belshazzar. Now that the Babylonian empire has fallen, Darius, the Mede ruled over Babylon under the Medo-Persian Empire. All the while that Daniel lived in Babylon, he “continually distinguished” himself or kept himself set apart from the culture. Daniel was different from all the other wise men in Babylon because he had a different spirit and extraordinary spirit. Daniel was indwelt by the Spirit of God.
Even though Daniel was indwelt by the Spirit of God, he had to intentionally make the decision to “distinguish” or distance himself from the things of the world. It was Daniel’s devotional life that empowered him to live a distinguished life. Daniel was deliberate in his devotion to prayer. He persistently prayed and worshipped the sovereign God regardless of circumstances. Daniel’s food was prayer. He prayed three times a day. As a result, Daniel confidently lived in Babylon but separated from the pagan culture because of a healthy spiritual life that was empowered by the Holy Spirit.
Do people see your life as one who is different from the world? Would people describe you as one who has an excellent spirit? How is your heart’s devotion? The distinguished believer has to live in this world, but they do not and should not live like this world because the Spirit of God dwells in them.
Dare to be different! Dare to be a Daniel!