I want us to look at Daniel’s integrity.

Daniel 6: ³ Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.  The light of God in Daniel made him to stand out, in his behaviour and character. If you are a child of light, I can assure you that people will see the light of God in you and will be threatened by it.

Psalm 36:9 For with You is the fountain of life; In Your light we see light. People in the darkness, will see the light of God; pslam 112:4 Unto the upright there arises light in the darkness; He is gracious, and full of compassion, and righteous.

As a result of the anoniting of God in Daniel’s life, the other satraps and governors were jealous of Daniel and conspired against him. They were against the king promoting Daniel and found a way to lie against him. We cannot say we are Christ-like and there is no difference between what we do and what the world does. 2 Corinthians 4:6 For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness, who has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ. These men could find not find anything against Daniel. 

They could not find a fault against Daniel and had to resort to lies. Daniel 6:⁴ So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. If the enemy wanted you or myself to stumble, would he find a fault? Would he find a doorway? Would he find a legal ground? Whatever the answer might be, they found nothing on Daniel. Daniel was faithful to the king, trustworthy to the king and his work, a man of integrity.

Luke 11:35 Therefore take heed that the light which is in you is not darkness. Daniel had no skeleton in his cupboard, so to speak. His enemies examined his life and found nothing to attack – so they had to make up something. Daniel excelled in all the tasks given to him. They went to the king and came up with a new law, just to trap Daniel. Daniel 6: 6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! ⁷ All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. ⁸ Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which ^[a]does not alter.” ⁹ Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. No matter what, do not underestimate the enemy, he will come for us, as God’s children. Of course, they lied when they said all the governors… have consulted together. We know it was a lie because Daniel was one of the governors and he was not consulted.

Daniel’s was not going to turn his back on God; and so he prayed for everyone to see.Daniel was confronted with a test of loyalties. He was a loyal subject of his king, yet he knew that the King of Kings deserved a higher loyalty. Daniel refused to give to the government the measure of obedience that belonged to God alone. Daniel 6:¹⁰ Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. Looking at Daniel, as an example, we are to always obey God rather than men, we are to be in awe of God, rather than men, we are to have a reverential fear of God rather than men.

The story continues with Daniel being reported to the king that Daniel was bowing to the King of Kings. Daniel 6:¹¹ Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. ¹² And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which ^[b]does not alter.” We know that the king we are told was upset because it was Daniel but he had made a decree. Daniel 6:¹⁴ And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. ¹⁵ Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” ¹⁶ So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 

We know how the story ends because God saves Daniel. My conclusion is for us to search our hearts; if we say we love God, are we trustworthy? Can people depend on us when the going gets tough? Can God trusts us like He did Job? Or will we give up? As Christians, not praying is no longer an option. Daniel prayed three times a day. Daniel’s character is worthy to be emulated.

Prayer Points:

Lord, I want to be a trustworthy Christian, help me Lord in the name of Jesus.

Lord help me to stand in the face of adversity in the name of Jesus.

Lord help me to run to you and not away from you when I am attacked in the name of Jesus.

My books:

• Prayer Personified;

• Godly Declarations;

• How to Deal with Unforgiveness the Godly Way

Are all available on: www.amazon.com