Daniel 6:14-16

New International Version (NIV)

When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him … The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

For meditation

One thing I have come to learn very quickly in my walk with the Lord is that the world admires integrity.  People crave it. Companies will pay for it. Nations can’t do without it. Integrity may sting and hurt sometimes, yet it is preferred to dishonesty and corruption everywhere. It will get you anywhere.

In exile, Daniel walked in absolute integrity under four kings. Consequently, he gained an excellent reputation before those kings. However, the corrupt government officials hated him and they did all they could to discredit him. In this instance under King Darius, they went as far as to get him devoured by hungry lions (Dan. 6:1-28).  Their plot was unknown to the king, but the proposal pleased him: “Anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den,” the law said (7). That will get any king or president to sign and seal it; for it elevated Darius to the status of deity.

1. So, why was Darius greatly distressed about the fate of Daniel for breaking the law?
2. Don’t you think it was the extraordinary impression Daniel had made on him – his excellent conduct of government business and his absolute personal integrity (3-4)?
3. Have you noticed what Darius said before they threw Daniel to the lions: “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (16).
4. Why would God fail to protect His faithful servant for His witness and glory?
5. How about you? Are people impressed by the excellence of your work and integrity of your life? What impression have you made where God has placed you?

I pray you will take the witness of your life very seriously, knowing that it puts Jesus on trial wherever you are. Not only that, it may determines how people come to your defense when you most need it.

So: May your life so impress the people around you when they see the perfect alignment of your life and doctrine (1 Tim. 4:16); and may they rejoice and praise the Lord, as Darius did (Dan. 6:26-27), when they see the life of Jesus in you!

“When integrity marks a person’s life, it makes that life a striking illustration of God’s power and presence on display” – Chuck Swindoll

Shalom