Daniel 2:49

New International Version (NIV)

Moreover, at Daniel’s request the king appointed Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego administrators over the province of Babylon, while Daniel himself remained at the royal court.

For Meditation

When we discuss Daniel’s integrity, we often refer only to his conduct in government business that lacked corruption (Dan. 6:4-5) and his faithfulness in prayer (16-23). I wonder how many of us have examined the integrity of his relationship with his friends, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego. It is a relationship we could learn from in  glorifying God. There are two lessons I want to highlight today.

We must share the glory before God and men for our co-operative effort with others in a project nobody or few people knew about. It is only godly and conscientious  to acknowledge their input when glory shines on the results.

Notice how Daniel called his friends to stand with him in prayer concerning the mystery of King Nebuchadnezzar’s dream (2:17-18) and how he acknowledged them before the Lord in his song of praise (20-23). Listen to Daniel:

“I thank and praise you, God … you have made known to me what we asked of you, you have made known to us the dream of the king (23).” [Emphasis mine]

They had prayed together, so Daniel included his friends in his thanksgiving prayer to the Lord. Isn’t that wonderful?

How about when Daniel stood before Nebuchadnezzar with the dream’s  interpretation (46-48)? He remembered his friends to the king and asked that he recognize them just as he had recognized him (48-49). When we share in labor with others, we must reap the benefits together. I can imagine Daniel pleading with the king in this dialogue.

“Thank you, king, but I didn’t do it alone. These three friends stood with me in prayer before the Lord for this revelation. I cannot take credit alone, your majesty. So, could you please find some administrative work for them?”

And the king said,

“Well, they can take the position of administrators over the province of Babylon, while you remain in my court as chief of my wise men.”

How’s that for a genuine friend?

Do you have a trustworthy and faithful friend like Daniel? More than that. Are you a trusted friend to someone else?

The king knew Daniel alone in the assignment and received his pleasant report from Daniel alone. However, Daniel made sure his friends received their due reward.

Do that in your home, office, neighborhood, and church, and bring glory to God for your integrity.

I notice something else. Daniel’s resolve to remain undefiled by his environment at the beginning of their life in the royal court (Dan. 1:8) influenced every decision the three friends made in that pagan environment (11-17).

Could we too not benefit by resolving to keep ourselves pure before the Lord in everything? For it will surely shine through our decisions in this dark world.

Shalom