10/30/2007
Daniel 6:3 - 4 (HCSB)
3Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. 4The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.
Daniel was an exile of Israel but had been brought into the royal palace by Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar was succeeded by Darius. Darius had set up governors over his kingdom and then had overseers above them. Daniel was so highly esteemed that Darius planned to make Daniel, in essence, the Prime Minister.
As so often happens, the pettiness and jealousy of men comes to the surface. Those around Daniel looked for a way to discredit Daniel and retain their own power. But I like what is said of Daniel in verse 4: “they could find no charge of corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.”
Can this be said of you? If people around you were to look for something to discredit you in your occupation, what would they find? Could they create a list of offenses, or would they be confounded with your integrity?
I have no doubt that God is glorified in our integrity. This story of Daniel is a great example. This is, of course, the story of Daniel and the lion’s den. Now, not every incidence of jealousy will end with such dire measures, but if you are completely trustworthy and not found negligent, then those around you will have no other options but to esteem the God you serve, or hate Him.
The jealous governors had convinced Darius to make an edict that no one could pray to any man or god except Darius for 30 days. Daniel of course would not heed this law and was sentenced to execution by the lions. Darius was greatly disappointed when he realized a trap had been set for Daniel. The scriptures tell us that even Darius, who had made the edict, tried to save Daniel but could not and was thus forced to sentence Daniel to the lion’s den. That night, Darius neither ate nor slept. He even refused entertainment.
The next morning, it says Darius ran to the lion’s den and called to Daniel, who was still alive and unharmed by the hand of God. In his delight, those who set the trap for Daniel and their entire families were thrown to the lions, and Darius made this decree:
Daniel 6:26 - 27 (HCSB)
26 “I
issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before
the God of Daniel:
For He is the
living God,
and He
endures forever;
His
kingdom will never be destroyed,
and His
dominion has no end.
27 He
rescues and delivers;
He
performs signs and wonders
in the
heavens and on the earth,
for He
has rescued Daniel
from the
power of the lions.”
May I encourage you to take from this story, the example of a man who worked with such integrity that nothing could be found against him. I am convinced that if Daniel had a choice, he would not be working among the magicians, fortunetellers, and astrologers of the king. Nonetheless, he accepted his position with contentment and endeavored to do his absolute best in it. In the end, God was (and will be) glorified.
Jeff Justus
Cleff Publishing
www.cleffpublishing.com
©2007 Cleff Publishing, all rights reserved.
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