Daniel 6:4-5

New International Version (NIV)

At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.

For Meditation

Promotion has a powerful way of attracting strange people to us. Family members who despised you suddenly appear at your front door. Old friends you haven’t seen for ages call to see how you’re doing. Even casual acquaintances drop hints around about their intimate relations with you. You think you’ve met hypocrisy in its best garbs before? Wait until your name makes the headlines and you’ll know whether your pastor knows your house or not. Well, maybe Google maps betrayed you. What can I say. But, that’s not my drift today. The other class of people that promotion attracts from the left aisle of your life is my focus.

They are the jealous, sneaky type that, like worms, chew the roots of a tree until they bring it down. Those are the kind that burrowed into Daniel’s life for some misconduct or corruption, but yielded nothing (Dan. 6:3). But this truth they learned though. Try to compel a person of faith and integrity to keep off his knees for three hours, and you’ll have on your hands a determined and faithful worshiper of God to deal with. Daniel passed the enemy’s integrity test, and his authenticity shut the mouths of the hungry lions by divine approval and power for his deliverance. However, his accusers perished in their own trap (21-22).

1. So, does Daniel’s story sound familiar in your life?
2. I mean, have you broken through what I call, “the line of average means” in life lately? What has  it brought upon you?
3. What’s the percentage increase in the friendly calls you receive per day?
4. How have you done with the different shades of temptation that parade before you every day? Will Daniel’s colleagues succeed with you?
5. Have you noticed God’s glory and power over you because of your integrity?

I pray you realize that integrity is possible when success embraces you in the corridors of power, and that your enemies will not find anything against you when they throw their nefarious searchlight on your life.

So: May the Lord smile on you because of your faithfulness; and may your Christian testimony continue to stand as a tower of honor and glory to God!

Enjoy your success alright, but let integrity continue to be your constant companion.

Shalom

thoughtful