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Daniel served three Kings. The first King attempted to burn his colleagues and dearest friends alive, the second King was arrogant, terrified and crazed filled, and the third attempted to enforce Daniel’s death through horrific violent means.

“O King, live forever!” was Daniel’s reply.

What??

Where is his rage fueled offense? Where is his mouthy entitlement of rights? Where is his, “I’m being persecuted continuously, you have to stop it” victim mindset? Where is his judgy, slanderous negativity? “Did you hear about the King? He’s being tormented with disturbing dreams. Hah! God’s getting Him!”

“O King, live forever!”

What?

Fear is learned. Serving three kings at the highest level, had taught him that. He’d watched the most powerful men on earth learn fear’s language and craft. He’d watch these men of power bow to fear.

Daniel learn’t that fear is not a natural response.

Fear is a symptom of not knowing who you are or who the Most High God is.

It was settled early in Daniel’s career, “Blessed be the name of God forever and ever, For wisdom and might are His, And HE changes the times and seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings.” (Daniel 2:20-21)

This must be settled in your heart if you are to rise and shine in these days.

Who is the Most High God and King?

Yet it was this process that Queens would recognise the excellent spirit Daniel would be known for. It was this process that would result in King after King promoting Daniel to the highest order of their kingdoms.

“O King, live forever!”

These were not the words of a man in fear. These were the words of man who learned the resilience of honor, learned trust in a superior reality, learned the authority of prayer, learned the power of vulnerability and holiness, learned that love always wins.

These were the words of a man who knew how to steward favor and influence properly. These were the words of a mindset of victory, not defeat, not persecution, not of victim.

“O King, live forever!”

This declaration of honor and blessing came from the bottom of the Lions den as Daniel stood there completely without injury.

A den that within minutes of his declaration had lions overpowering and crushing all the bones to pieces of the men, their wives, and their children who had accused Daniel, even before their bodies hit the bottom of the den. (Daniel 6:24)

“O King, live forever!”

Those who know who they are, pray. Those who don’t know who they are, don’t pray. We pray from being seated next to Jesus. (Ephesians 2:6). We pray because we are co-heirs with Christ. (Romans 8:17) We pray because HE is the Most High God and it is He who “brings Princes to nothing; He makes the judges of the earth useless.” (Isaiah 40:23)

At every turn with every King, Daniel prayed. He prayed because he knew who he really was and who God was. This man who time after time was promoted to rule over the province and kingdoms of his Kings. (Daniel 2:48, 5:29, 6:28) His identity was not in what the Kings of earth gave to him.

This Daniel who served loyally, vain and fear filled kings who’s edicts were influenced and swayed so easily by a fearful, evil few. He served with an excellent spirit, Kings who oppressed him and his God. He ruled over their kingdoms and served these men in wisdom and excellence. He lived the life giving power of honor.

“O King, live forever!”

King after king, yielded to the heart of this man. For Kings look for ones such as this and they yield to the ones with an excellent spirit.

Bowing their knee, they decreed,  “To all peoples, nations and languages that dwell in all the earth, Peace be multiplied to you. I decree that in very dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God.” (Daniel 6:25-26).

Love always wins. Honor always wins. Fear is not our natural response.

God is about to promote some of you who are reading this, because you have developed an excellent spirit. Not a perfect spirit, but an excellent spirit. God is looking for those who will serve the Kings of this day excellently and with honor, and will stand in the place of influence, stewarding their responsibilities from knowing who they are and who the Most High God is.

What will be your reply?