Following the untimely death of Belshazzar, Darius came to the throne. He immediately set about establishing his new government and administration in the land. As with all ‘re-shuffles’ there would be promotion and demotion with much jealousy around. Daniel’s track record was excellent and his character was beyond reproach, so that when the new appointments were made Daniel became the first president. Obviously there were those who wanted Daniel’s post and on the announcement of the new terms of authority, they sought to bring Daniel down.
The Holy Spirit’s testimony of Daniel sets a standard for any who assume responsibility in either secular or spiritual spheres; ‘Against Daniel, concerning the kingdom they could find none occasion nor fault, forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him’, Dan. 6. 4. The adversary, however, is most vigilant. In chapter one he tries and fails to defile Daniel; in chapter two he endeavours to destroy him but in chapter six he will seek to corrupt his link with God by stopping him praying. It is important to note that Daniel occupied a very responsible place in government and had most demanding responsibilities but never allowed his link with God to be adversely affected by the business of life. Having succeeded thus in maintaining his link with God through the busy times, this godly and necessary practice might now cost him his life. We must understand that our responsibility to the law of the land, important as this is, must take second place to the dictates of God’s word. Daniel opened his window to Jerusalem, the place he held in great affection, and where God will ultimately fulfil His purpose and where Daniel longed to be. He prayed three times per day, teaching us that there was a completeness about his communion, and the fact he did this aforetime proved the consistency of his fellowship with God. The displeasure of the king, the accusations of his colleagues and ultimately the den of lions, would do nothing to move this man from his daily devotion to God. The result – ‘so this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian’, Dan. 6. 28. May our link with God be protected and all secular responsibilities take second place.
