Being Outstanding

“That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day”. Daniel 6:13

Sometimes the way down is really the way up! In God’s kingdom those the world calls wise are called foolish in the Word.  Those who are powerful by corporate standards are often weak and those who see freedom as doing whatever they want end up enslaved.  What really matters is that we are not defined by what we have or don’t have, but by what we willingly give up for Jesus. He turns the world’s values upside down.

Daniel had proven himself to be a man of absolute, complete, impeccable integrity.  Adhering to a specific code of ethical and moral principles to be truthful and being honest enough to do what is right is referred as having “integrity”. It calls for being incorruptible and uncompromising with reference to values. Though not everybody knew Daniel personally, everybody seemed to know about Daniel. If you read the book of Daniel, you will figure out that Daniel’s reputation preceded him.

Being human, Daniel was not perfect but he trusted God wholeheartedly! This was what made him outstanding!  He was put in charge of everyone else and was second in command only to the king himself. This reveals that integrity triumphs ability. There is no limit to how far anyone can go if they know they can always be trusted to do the right thing.

He was not promoted because of his temporal seniority, but because of his moral superiority.  One would say, his character was a cut above everybody else! Even when the jealous administrators of the kingdom tried to find fault in Daniel’s closet, they came up empty handed. They found that he was a man who had been honest, hard-working, upright and they could not identify an accusation except about Danie’s “prayer life commitment”.

Daniel is proof that when we live a life of integrity, goodness surrounds us so that we can withstand anything as we continually trust and lift up Jesus. “…He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” Daniel 5:4 (b). Daniel made a habit of constantly spending quality time with God.  Does this challenge you to choose this secret of success daily?

Pray your response to the Lord personally, meaningfully and genuinely!

Reflect: What’s one thing Jesus is calling you to do that you find particularly difficult?

Do you ever struggle to trust God’s promises? Why or why not?