Where Did Daniel Go?
Each year when I read through the Bible, I am always drawn to the book of Daniel. Probably not for the same reason that many are. For some, it is the story of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego that interests them. For others, it is Daniel in the lions’ den. For others, it is the Daniel diet. For still others, it is the prophetic passages and they enjoy dissecting them to attempt to set up signposts for the end times. For me, all of those things are important because they are in God’s Word, but the passage I am always drawn to is in the story of Daniel in the lions’ den.
Here is the passage that always catches my attention:
Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.” (Daniel 6:3-5, NASB)
I find it interesting that Daniel’s enemies went after him. They scrutinized every aspect of his life. They looked into his work, but could find no dereliction. They looked into his finances and could find no impropriety. They looked into his power and could find no abuse. They looked into his public and private life and could find no inconsistency to exploit. They even admitted so in the passage.
Before we move on, stop to think about this. Daniel’s enemies could find no reason to accuse him. They wanted to. They wanted his position. They wanted him to fail. They want him to be disgraced. They wanted to expose him. They found nothing. How many of us could stand up to that level of scrutiny?
Having exhausted all normal means of accusing him, they considered his life as a whole and realized, while he was a dedicated and honorable servant of the king, Daniel had an allegiance that came before his allegiance to the king. He was dedicated first and foremost to God. His enemies knew this because it was plain and evident for all to see. Unlike many of us, he did not keep his faith a secret thinking that his faith was a private matter. No, he lived out his faith before others and even before it was said, he embodied Jesus’ later instruction to let his light so shine before men that they would glorify God in heaven. (Matthew 5:16)
Seeing that passage from year to year causes me to feel a bit of conviction. Would I stand up to that kind of scrutiny? Is my faith that evident? Would I continue to pray after the law was passed (later in the story)? Would I restrain myself from using my power to resist my detractors? Would I be faithful?
As I have thought on this part of the story over and over, the question comes to mind, “Where did Daniel go?” As we watch the news and hear about the corruption in the government, the self-service of our representatives, the political assassinations that masquerade as campaigns, and the general deceit in so many of our leaders, I am left with the question. As I think about this question, I must throw myself in that category as well. I need to know if I am a Daniel. Before I can throw the rock, I must first consider whether or not I am guilty of the same thing.
My prayer is that God would make me a Daniel and that He would make others a Daniel and that together in the church we might shine His light through our example as well as our evangelism. What about you?