Daniel
Daniel
Daniel
Some Background Information: Daniel was one of only 3 “prime ministers” that administered
the entire Persian empire. He was placed in this position despite being, in effect, a P.O.W. from
Judah. Because of Daniel’s wisdom, intelligence and integrity, the King was considering giving
him singular authority to administer the empire. Since the King’s plan would in effect diminish
the authority of the other 2 “prime ministers”, they were jealous of Daniel an began seeking a
way to bring about his downfall. The King, though generally thought to be a wise man, failed to
see through the conspiracy because he was preoccupied with promoting his own glory.
We live in a sinful and dangerous world where bad things happen to good people
God does not perform evil, though he may allow it, within limits (Job
1:12; 2:7)
Even though his faith did not keep Daniel from the persecution and
suffering, it did sustain him through that experience.
In times of sorrow, the faithless ask, “Where is thy God?” (Ps 42:3 & 10,
79:10, Joel 2:17)
Do you live your life as though you believe in the promises of God? (Heb.
11:1, 6)
In our lives today, there are many ways and areas in which we are being
pulled to conform to the way of world and compromise our faith.
Addressing a national seminar of Southern Baptist leaders, George Gallup
said, “We find there is very little difference in ethical behavior between
church-goers and those who are not active religiously … The
levels of lying, cheating, and stealing are remarkably similar in both
groups.
If you were put on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to
convict you?
Why was it so important to Daniel that he pray to God even in defiance of the
Royal Edict? After all, it was only for 30 days.
We should also remember that this is not the first time that Daniel’s faith, courage
and integrity had been tested. The Scriptures tell us of at least 2 prior occasions
when he failed to compromise even though in doing so he was putting his life on
the line. Having experienced God’s protection on both of those occasions must
have strengthened his hope that God would help him with this test as well.
• Ethical Relativism (also called “Situational Ethics”): What is right or wrong varies
according to the individual/society/culture or set of circumstances. There are no
universally valid moral principles. (Related Biblical reference "everyone did what was
right in his own eyes" (Deut. 12:8, Judges 17:6; 21:25) (see also Isa. 5:20 & 24, Jer.
2:13, Rom. 1:18-32, 1 Cor. 5:6-7, 2 Cor. 6:14-15, 1 John 1:8)
•“Psychologists have found integrity to be essential to an individual's sense of identity and self-
worth, enabling the successful navigation of change and challenge. Links between integrity and
the ability to gain and maintain the trust of others have often been noted. Many purveyors of
practical advice, including Cicero and Benjamin Franklin, have counseled that integrity is the
cornerstone of worldly success. According to Franklin, "no Qualities [are] so likely to make a
poor Man's Fortune as those of Probity & Integrity" (quoted in Beebe, 1992, p. 8)” - from
Blackwell’s Encyclopedic Dictionary of Business Ethics.
•In Living a Life That Matters Rabbi Harold Kushner describes the kind of people who are able
to overcome the negativity in their lives as shalem, people who are “whole, united within
themselves, their internal conflicts ended.” Because of this, he says, they are “persons of
integrity.” Integrity, says Kushner, is a quality just as essential to human well-being as is the
pursuit of peace and justice.
–The integrity of the upright guides them, but the unfaithful are destroyed by their duplicity.
(Prov. 11:3)
–Integrity brings
peace (i.e. a clear conscience) and marks the perfect man (Hebrew Word:
Tam = Man of Integrity) (Ps. 37:37, 1 Kings 9:4)
– The just [man] walketh in his integrity: his children [are] blessed after him. (Prov. 20:7)
–I know, my God, that you test the heart and are pleased with integrity. (1 Chron. 29:17)
–Righteousness guards the man of integrity, but wickedness overthrows the sinner. (Prov.
13:6)
–He (God) stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in
integrity. (Prov 2:7)
•Plato once said “I would rather that the whole world should be at odds with me, and oppose me,
than that I myself should be at odds with myself and contradict myself.”
•"In matters of style, swim with the current; in matters of principle, stand like a rock.” - Thomas
Jefferson
Integrity draws people to you because they believe they can trust you
Integrity brings peace (i.e. a clear conscience) Mark the perfect man (Hebrew Word: Tam
= Man of Integrity), and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace.(Ps. 37:37)
(see also 1 Kings 9:4)
Integrity enables you to leave a good name. President Harry Truman used to say: "Fame
is a vapor, popularity an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse
tomorrow, only one thing endures -- character."
Charles Spurgeon wrote, "A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you,
and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve
your name on hearts, and not on marble."
Demonstrates respect
Preserves trust
Truth faith that God is real and alive (1 Kings 22:14; Jer. 10:10)
It should be pleasing in His sight (1 Thess. 2:4; 1 John 3:21-22; Col. 1:10)
Even when doing good people often act with “mixed” motives.
God shall judge us according to our integrity (Ps. 7:8, Matt. 7:21-23).
In Daniel 6:25-27 we see that Daniel’s faith and trust in God not only
resulted in his deliverance, but also a testimony to others. Because of
Daniel’s faith, King Darius recognized God and issued a decree
that all people must worship Him.