He had no ulterior motives in what he did, and God blessed him because of his noble mind. He obeyed God more than people.
“He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made,” says King David. To dig a pit for others is really the opposite of an excellent spirit; in doing so people are influenced by jealousy and envy. Such people wander about in pitch darkness until they fall into their own pit.
Daniel prayed to God when things were going well and the king wanted him to govern the entire kingdom. But he also prayed when he was thrown to the lions and everything looked hopeless - then God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. Daniel’s simple faith had made an impression on the king – he was sure that God would save Daniel, and encouraged the whole kingdom to fear and tremble before Daniel’s God.
We can see the same patterns in politics today: politicians make every effort to find faults in their opponents that can be used to weaken them. The media often act like ravenous lions, using the slightest rumours to write a story that will sell well. Here truth and consistency are of secondary importance.
Daniel could say about himself that he had been found innocent before God. This gave him strength when things went well and when they went badly. His enemies could not point one finger at the way he performed his work, he had nothing to hide and was on firm ground. “He who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” 1 John 5:18.
We can also keep ourselves in an excellent spirit by loving the truth and hating deceit.
“He made a pit and dug it out, and has fallen into the ditch which he made,” says King David. To dig a pit for others is really the opposite of an excellent spirit; in doing so people are influenced by jealousy and envy. Such people wander about in pitch darkness until they fall into their own pit.
Daniel prayed to God when things were going well and the king wanted him to govern the entire kingdom. But he also prayed when he was thrown to the lions and everything looked hopeless - then God sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. Daniel’s simple faith had made an impression on the king – he was sure that God would save Daniel, and encouraged the whole kingdom to fear and tremble before Daniel’s God.
We can see the same patterns in politics today: politicians make every effort to find faults in their opponents that can be used to weaken them. The media often act like ravenous lions, using the slightest rumours to write a story that will sell well. Here truth and consistency are of secondary importance.
Daniel could say about himself that he had been found innocent before God. This gave him strength when things went well and when they went badly. His enemies could not point one finger at the way he performed his work, he had nothing to hide and was on firm ground. “He who has been born of God keeps himself, and the wicked one does not touch him.” 1 John 5:18.
We can also keep ourselves in an excellent spirit by loving the truth and hating deceit.
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