Daniel 6:1-14 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Daniel 6:1-14. Let’s go!
Daniel 6:1-2 (NIV)
1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom,
2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss.
On verses 1-2: Daniel has outlasted the Babylonian empire and now he is serving while the Medes and Persians are in power. King Darius is now at least the third king that Daniel has served as a top political advisor.
Daniel 6:3-4 (NIV)
3 Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.
4 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.
On verses 3-4: As Daniel had always done, Daniel stood out among his colleagues because of his character. Daniel was trustworthy and “neither corrupt nor negligent” (v4). Corruption has to do with your heart, your motives. Negligence has to do with your competence, how well you can get the job done. I pray that like Daniel the same would be said of you: that among your peers and colleagues you would stand out because you are so trustworthy, neither corrupt nor negligent. That’s how we shine as stars for Jesus.
Daniel 6:5-9 (NIV)
5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.”
6 So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: “O King Darius, live forever!
7 The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den.
8 Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered–in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
9 So King Darius put the decree in writing.
On verses 5-9: Despite the fact that a whole group of his peers and associates had conspired against him, Daniel was not alone. God was with him. Similarly, when you have God on your side, you are not at a disadvantage, for you have the best teammate and backup anyone could ask for. So if you have been conspired against, remember that nothing is hidden from God. God is just and in the end God will bring everything to light. As Jesus says in Matthew 10:
Matthew 10:26-31 (NIV)
26 “So do not be afraid of them. There is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.
27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the daylight; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim from the roofs.
28 Do not be afraid of those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from the will of your Father.
30 And even the very hairs of your head are all numbered.
31 So don’t be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.
Daniel 6:10 (NIV)
10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
On verse 10: Even after hearing that this law prohibiting prayer had come into force, Daniel continued to pray in private to the Lord just as he had done before. When the orders of people conflict with the commands of your God, choose to obey God, not people.
I love Daniel’s consistency. No matter what the circumstance, Daniel would not let anything get in the way of his relationship with God. May you and I be the same. May we always put God first no matter what.
Daniel 6:11-14 (NIV)
11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help.
12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands–in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”
13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”
14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
On verses 11-14: After realizing how it affected Daniel his top administrator, King Darius regretted putting in place this law that prohibited prayer to anyone except himself. Had King Darius given this law more thought, had he weighed his options, had he consulted his top administrator Daniel, had he checked his own ego at the door, King Darius could have avoided all this stress and trouble that he placed on himself and especially on Daniel.
Likewise, sometimes we can make life unnecessarily difficult for ourselves and for those we work with when we make rash decisions, when we fail to consider the possible outcomes or get good advice. When making a decision that will affect others significantly, thoroughly and prayerfully think it through. Get good advice before proceeding. You’ll save yourself and others so much trouble when you do.
Father, thank You so much for Daniel’s example. I pray that like Daniel I would be known for my character and my competence. I pray that when making important decisions I would do so thoughtfully and carefully, getting the good advice I need. Like Daniel I pray I would not let anything get in the way of my relationship with You – not any law, not any person, not any circumstance or challenge. May I always put You first no matter what. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
