Daniel 1:3-4

New International Version (NIV)

Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility—young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace

For meditation

King Nebuchadnezzar needed some young men to come into his service from the royal house of Judah, and this was his preferred qualities: Young men with no physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve (Daniel 1:3-4).

God also put out His list of preferred qualities for men to come into His service in the church. Above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach. Not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not lovers of money (1 Timothy 3:2-3). They must be men who hold on to the truths of the faith with a clear conscience (8-9), who love what is good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined (Titus 1:8).

When you contrast these two lists, what do you see? Do you realize the difference in values?

While the world looks for physical abilities, worldly wisdom, beauty, and intelligence in their appointments, God looks for integrity, honesty, fidelity, faithfulness, holiness, and comportment. Is there any wonder the world is so chaotic and in trouble?

So why do God’s people choose their leaders the way the world does, and not by divine standards?

Israel made that mistake in choosing their first king. Instead of looking for someone with godly qualities, they asked for one like the kings of the surrounding nations (1 Sam. 8:5) What a disaster that was!

Since we make leadership choices at all levels of life every day, let us be mindful of moral values, not appearances, and choose through God’s perspective and not by worldly standards. Let your choice bless yourself, your family, your church, and your community.

And, above all, let it glorify God in Christ Jesus, amen.