Daniel 6:1-5 – Be faithful in service.

Daniel was a young man when Nebuchadnezzar first deported him to Babylon. He served faithfully under three Babylonian kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Nabonidus (also known as Nebuchadnezzar III), and Belshazzar. At the end of Daniel 5, we see the collapse of the Babylonian empire under Belshazzar's rule. God judged him for his arrogance in desecrating the consecrated vessels seized from the Jerusalem temple. Belshazzar died, and his kingdom was given to Darius of Medo-Persia, who was 62 years old.

Daniel 6 opens with Daniel serving in Darius’ new regime at approximately 85. Many would have retired by this age, but Daniel remained faithful, even though he had to serve Judah's oppressors and those hostile to him and God's people. He had not completed the task assigned to him by God.

Before we continue, let’s talk about Darius. Who was he, and where did he come from? Darius was believed to be King Cyrus of Persia. “Darius” was just a title, like “Pharaoh” or “Caesar.” Darius’ father was believed to be a Persian, and his mother was a Mede. Therefore, Darius the Mede was Cyrus, the king of Persia.

During Darius' administration, he appointed 120 satraps or governors over his vast empire. Three commissioners oversaw the satraps, and Daniel was one of them. It did not surprise us to see him on Darius's team. As usual, Daniel differentiated himself from all the other commissioners. Verse 3 says, "Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit." He was a man of great wisdom endowed by God. And Darius planned to put the administration of his whole empire under his charge.

This incurred jealousy and some satraps and from the other commissioners. So, they began looking for grounds to accuse him, but all to no avail. Daniel was "faithful, and no negligence or corruption was found in him." So, his opponents planned to find something from his allegiance to God to accuse him.

Like Daniel, we are enlisted to serve God's purpose. It will do us well to come to it with a spirit of excellence. We just do our best with the assignment given to us and not be concerned or meddle with what others have been assigned. This will prevent us from being jealous. We will be rewarded for our faithfulness, diligence, and discipline. Remember, to whom much is given, much is required. And to him who has, much will be given.  Finally, our promotion comes from the Lord. He will never shortchange us.