In Daniel 6 we click over to a new king and a new empire under which Babylon, and therefore the Jewish people, were subjugated. This is no matter to God of course who would continue to be active where his people lived. Darius was probably another name for Cyrus the Medo-Persian emperor who defeated the Babylonians quite remarkably in 539BC (look up the story!), and who, a year later, released the Jews to return to their homeland. Darius appointed Daniel as one of three main leaders under him over his empire. When Daniel excelled over the other two leaders, they found a way of incriminating him for his faith. Yet again we see Daniel keeping his heart from becoming ambitious and proud through all his promotions. He is able to put his faith before any consideration of worldly position. Often, when we are promoted in any sense, we draw so much self-validation from this that the position becomes integral to our sense of identity. When this happens the position becomes a kind of idol that we pander to because there is so much hanging on it for us. This is when position and power corrupt us and leads us astray. Remarkably Daniel has managed to keep himself from this. Perhaps he learned from Nebuchadnezzar’s experience. Daniel puts God first, and, in response, God puts Daniel first and restores him to the high position in which he would live out his remaining days. The story of Daniel’s deliverance from the lions is, I think, less remarkable than his deliverance from pride.
Ask God to show you if you have become carried away with any degree of influence or authority he has given you.
Read Daniel 6
