Excellent Ones...

It is interesting to note that the term “excellent” is not often used to described individuals in the Word - so these ones who are excellent are worthy of special observation:

In the Bible we can find three excellent women…

• Ruth 3:11 Ruth—she is known throughout the city as virtuous, excellent, noble, brave, strong. Ruth is excellent in loyalty, faithfulness and Godliness in days of corruption and rebellion. She was a convert from paganism, and she gave up all she knew in order to serve another (Naomi). Not only that, Ruth had to be very courageous in order to leave her home - excellent endurance saw her through to her destination and into history.

• Prov. 12:4 Unknown Woman—she is a crowning joy to her husband. She is earnest and strong in character.

• Prov.31:10 Unknown Woman—she is worth more than rubies, capable, intelligent and virtuous. She is excellent above all others (Pr. 31:29):

Verse 10 – she is valued above rubies

Verse 11 – she is trustworthy

Verse 12 – she is good to her husband all the days of her life

Verse 13 – she is able to work excellently with her hands

Verse 14 – she is excellent with all manner of cooking

Verse 15 – she is a hard worker and a servant to all

Verse 16 – she is a good gardener and enterprising

Verse 17 – she is strong on the inside and the outside

Verse 18 – she is intelligent and industrious

Verse 19 – she is able to spin and weave clothing

Verse 20 – she is kind to those who are poor and needy

Verse 21 – she is brave and properly prepared for all weather

Verse 22 – she is clothed in fine garments, which she has made

Verse 23 – she is represented in the gates of the city by her noble husband

Verse 24 – she is an excellent businesswoman

Verse 25 – she is clothed with strength and honor

Verse 26 – she is wise and kind of speech

Verse 27 – she is responsible and guards her household

Verse 28 – she is honored by her family – those who knew her the best

Verse 29 – she is excellent

Verse 30 – she walked in the fear of the Lord

Verse 31 – she is fruitful and praised in the gates

...one excellent man (no comments)

• Dan. 5:14—The Spirit of God was in him, also light and understanding and excellent wisdom.

...one excellent King...

• Ps. 45:2 Solomon/Christ—You are the most excellent of men and your lips have been anointed with grace, since God has blessed you forever (NIV).

The word "excellent," here, means that the excellent one has built the family name.

...and multitudes of excellent Believers...

• Ps. 16:3 Unknown Saints of God—excellent, majestic, glorious, noble ones—The delight of the Lord is in these.
In the NLT He calls them His true heroes: the Godly people in the land are my true heroes! I take pleasure in them!

It is fascinating to me that the majority of excellent ones found in the Bible are unnamed. Only Ruth and Daniel are identified by name. We are called to be excellent in God's kingdom - the story of God's excellent ones is still being written - our names need to be added to God's list of those who are excellent! Whatever you put your hand to - do it well - do it excellently as a reflection of the Most Excellent One - Jesus!

More on excellence: HERE and HERE and HERE

Song of Deliverance 7

The Song from Prison - Acts 16:25-26

But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them

Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken;

Sometimes at midnight (when things seem to be at their darkest) the Lord requires that we sing. At times like these, look for the earthquake and for the lives of many to be affected by the presence of the Lord. God’s song of deliverance was sung by Paul and Silas – this time it was a hymn of the Church. It is amazing to see how the Philippian jailor was so impacted by the lives of Paul and Silas. It seems as though he was asleep during the hymn singing, yet he so clearly knew the great question to be asked once God’s power and glory were revealed in this prison: Acts 16:30…”Sirs, what must I do to be saved?” All of his household were saved and baptized that night.

Ps 142:7 Bring my soul out of prison, That I may praise Your name; The righteous shall surround me, For You shall deal bountifully with me.”

God’s men who were sent to prison and prospered by His grace:

• The favor of God on Joseph's life brought him great favor in captivity and in the prison
Gen. 39:21 But the Lord was with Joseph and showed him mercy, and He gave him favor in the sight of the keeper of the prison.

• Although Samson had disobeyed the Lord, yet God heard his prayers and he had great strength and victory over his enemies.
Judges 16:21 Then the Philistines took him and put out his eyes, and brought him down to Gaza. They bound him with bronze fetters, and he became a grinder in the prison. 

• Jeremiah was a prophet who was faithful and obedient to the Lord. He was thrown into prison on 3 occasions, yet he still served the Lord. Even when he was in prison, God’s word came through him with clarity

Jer. 32:2; 33:1 ...Jermiah the prophet was shut up in the court of the prison, which was in the king of Judah's house.
Moreover the word of the Lord came to Jermiah a second time, while he was still shut up in the court of the prison saying...

• Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were Babylonian prisoners in exile. They remained faithful to the Lord and would not bow down to any king or god other than the Lord. God preserved their lives supernaturally and revealed His favor and glory through these young men - Dan. 1-3.

• Paul and Silas were the instruments of God's grace and glory in the Philippian jail. The Lord revealed His delivering power in the midst of their praises.

Whatever seems to be a prison to you – turn your heart to song and see God’s glory revealed in the praises. He has songs of deliverance for you that will release you from bondage and bring freedom to others who sit in darkness.

Is. 42:6-7

"I, the Lord, have called You in righteousness, And will hold Your hand; I will keep You and give You as a covenant to the people, As a light to the Gentiles,

To open blind eyes, To bring out prisoners from the prison, Those who sit in darkness from the prison house.”

Is. 61:1 "The Spirit of the Lord God is upon Me, Because the Lord has anointed Me To preach good tidings to the poor; He has sent Me to heal the brokenhearted, To proclaim liberty to the captives, And the opening of the prison to those who are bound;

The Lord will set every captive free

with His songs of deliverance!!

Part 1: HERE