I’ve been quoting a number of authors and books before. In this delicious piece, I will quote the Book of Daniel which is found in the Bible – the Holy Book for Christians.
As a man of faith, I’ve been praying that I receive a deeper ability to solve difficult problems. I couldn’t quickly find a better example of someone with this ability than Mr. Daniel Belteshazzar – one of those great governors in ancient Babylon. Below is the king’s address to Daniel in the Book of Daniel 5:13-16.
“So you are Daniel, one of the Judean exiles whom my grandfather the king brought from Judah! I’ve heard about you, that a spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, discernment, and extraordinary wisdom. Take note that the advisors and enchanters were brought before me to read the writing and explain its meaning, but they were unable to do so. However, I’ve heard that you can provide meaning and interpretation, and that you can solve difficult problems. If you are able to read the writing and report its meaning, you will be clothed in purple, have a gold chain placed around your neck, and you will become the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
Daniel 5:13-16
Did you hear that, O inspired leader? Did you know, by the way, that:
- This was after a referral (word-of-mouth recommendation) from the queen herself in verses 10-12
- His name came up after all other potential problem solvers had even failed to do anything about the challenge at hand as in verses 5-9?
- This problem had been created by this national leader (the king) himself as seen in verses 1-4?
Someone here needs to join me in once again looking at the qualities that Daniel had and then make a plan of action to pull up our socks, try to measure up and put our act together:
- Filled by the Spirit of Go
- Having insight
- Rich in discernment
- Possessing extraordinary wisdom
- Ability to provide meaning and interpretation
- Capability to solve difficult problems.
Friend, realize that the promised remuneration was:
- Being clothed in purple,
- Receiving a gold chain placed around the neck,
- Elevation to being “the third highest ruler in the kingdom.”
Ha! You can’t believe Daniel’s response:
“Let your gifts and rewards be given to someone else. However, I’ll read the writing for the king and tell him the meaning.” (verse 17).
And the amazing story continues… But now let’s have a little flashback to know how Daniel came to be put in such a place when he was a foreigner in exile, far away from home: When an advert was put out there for people to work in State House, the minimum requirements were as follows (Daniel 1:4):
- Young men without physical defect
- Handsome in appearance
- Skilled in all wisdom
- Quick to learn
- Prudent in how they used knowledge
- Capable of serving in the king’s palace
- Able to learn literature and language
Daniel met all these requirements – and was hired! Would YOU? Remember, dear leaders, that this was also accompanied by a highly revealing decision: “Daniel determined within himself not to defile himself…” (verse 8).
The result of this was that “God granted Daniel grace and compassion…” (verse 9). Not only that but also “…knowledge, aptitude for learning, and wisdom. Daniel also could understand all kinds of visions and dreams.” (Verse 17). We are told that after the probation period, “in every matter of wisdom or understanding that the king discussed with [him], he found [Daniel] ten times better than all… in his entire palace” (verse 20)! Who doesn’t want that? Give a handclap to Hon. Daniel! No wonder, later, the king could declare to Daniel,
“Truly, your God is the God of gods, the Lord of kings, and the Revealer of secrets, because you were able to reveal this mystery”
2:47
But wait a minute! Verse 48 says, “Then the king promoted Daniel to a high position and lavished many great gifts on him, including making him ruler over the entire province of Babylon and chief administrator over the advisors of Babylon.” Wow! That sounds like State House’s Chief of Staff! Promotion comes from diligent work, excellence and solving difficult problems.
Don’t rush to leave before you realize that he then “requested that the king appoint” his other 3 godly friends as “administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained in the royal court” (verse 49). He remembered to pull/lift up some like-minded comrades around him.
He didn’t just celebrate his personal rise but ensured he had the right team to work with! How are you doing in this area at your current level? No wonder those 3 boys proved solid even when they were thrown in fire in chapter 3 for their insistence on serving the right, One true God! This forced the President to write a national memo to all districts about the God of Daniel (chapter 4:1—). Now, that’s high level influence.
It was after all this that later he was labelled by the new king as a man who could SOLVE DIFFICULT PROBLEMS in chapter 5:16. The critical question is: What’s your resolution / action points after reading all this?
Live. Love. Lead.
#YouWillManage
