Daniel 1:19-21 NKJV:
…None was found like Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah; therefore they served before the king. And in all matters of wisdom and understanding about which the king examined them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and astrologers who were in all his realm.
John 3:27-28 NLT
John replied, “No one can receive anything unless God gives it from heaven.”
None was found like Daniel. Let’s take a moment to get some perspective. Although we are studying Daniel to glean and grow, we do not want to play a comparison game with his life and become depressed. No flaw is mentioned of Daniel although he was human and thus flawed. Handsome, courageous, gifted, holy, godly, anointed, bold, wise….and on and on.
John says, “No one can be Daniel unless God gives him those gifts and callings from heaven.” To paraphrase, John was being asked why he did things the way he did things. His answer was, “I can pick up only what God gives me to do…and do it only the way God has equipped me to do it.” (What a relief!)
Can you be content with this arrangement if what God has given you receives little applause? If it means leaving everything else alone that is not yours to do? Is it enough?
I find when I try to minister beyond what I’ve received from God, I drain the energy and creativity needed for what I am called to do. I put unnecessary pressure on myself trying to run in a lane for which I was not created. Comparison pressure? I just don’t need it. And neither do you.
We create a lot of our own stress by trying to be or do something God never gave us. We all have different graces and gifts. Daniel developed his gifts and callings and fulfilled what God gave him to do. As well, John knew his role and was content. That’s what we want to glean from this book.
Prayer:
Father, I thank You for the gifts, callings, and anointing You’ve given me. I trust You and will steward my gifts and talents to the best of my ability. Thank You for my role in Your kingdom and the people You’ve trusted me to touch, in Jesus’ name!