Jealousy is troublesome to others but torment to themselves. ~ William Penn

Challenges present themselves at inopportune times. Is there a good time for difficulties? The prophet Daniel was very good to mind his own business. He had been chosen to work for the King and was so well-liked that King Darius put him over the work of all the land!

“Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” Daniel 6:3.

Just as in life today, there were others who were not happy about Daniel’s “elevation”. They plotted, schemed and searched for ways to get rid of him and his “partners” in this “crime”.

Suddenly, they awakened to the discovery that to dispose of him was easier than they thought and would be the king’s doing, not theirs!

They came up with a law that made it illegal to worship anyone, god or human, for thirty days, other than King Darius. This, they were sure, would be the end of Daniel, the one without fault or error.

Jealousy. Yikes, what an ugly word. It schemes, connives, backbites, plots, resents, covets, dislikes, HATES, and burns with envy.

[Tweet “Jealousy will destroy the hater.”]

The king signed the law; he could see no harm in insisting that he be first in the kingdom.

And then the connivers waited…

“But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.” Daniel 6:10 NLT.

Just as he had always done. Daniel prayed every day. Daniel prayed three times each day. At the same time every day, he had an appointment with the Almighty. He could not, and would not, allow even a decree from the King, whom he worked for, honored and obeyed, to come between him and his God.

Are we that persistent? Are we that dedicated?

Are we even that SURE that what we have, what we possess in our inner being is worth dying for?

Daniel was sure! He was convinced! He knew the consequences, yet he knelt down as usual and prayed. With his windows open. He didn’t hide, he didn’t whisper, he didn’t cower in the face of adversity.

He did what he had always done.

It was natural to him! As much as breathing in and out, Daniel prayed and communicated with Almighty God. His trust in his Creator was enough to propel him forward, to sustain him in the face of death, if necessary.

Yes, it became necessary.

The king realized he could not go back on his decree. What was done, was done, even though he was gravely disappointed when the “spies” came back to report, or tattle, on Daniel. He had no choice but to throw him in the lion’s den…and then he prayed and fasted all night for his friend, Daniel.

“Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee…. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.” Daniel 6:16, 18.

Immediately when the sun was rising, King Darius was at the mouth of the lion’s den.

“And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

See the concern in the voice of the king of the land?! Daniel had impressed this man with his faithfulness so much that he not only thought highly of Daniel…he thought highly of Daniel’s God!

[Tweet “Do we impress those around us with our LIVES so much that they think highly of our God?”]

Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” Daniel 6:20-22.

Daniel’s God answers prayer. The king is beyond thrilled and rejoices with Daniel. He decrees again, but this time it is not for his people to worship him, it is for his people to worship the God of Daniel!

And the troublemakers? We see this:

[Tweet “Blowing out another’s candle doesn’t make yours shine any brighter!”]

And in their case? It caused irreparable damage. The king had those men thrown into the very den of lions they had assumed would destroy Daniel.

So let us recap the lessons to be learned in this story today:

• Jealousy grows until it consumes us to act.

• Our selfish and sinful actions do come with consequences.

• Faithfulness to the God of Daniel, Jesus Christ the Righteous, always wins.

• To keep doing what we have always done in the face of adversity causes God to come to our rescue.

• Daily prayer produces relationship. God knows us by name!

What are you consistent about in your walk with God?

Are there areas that could use some attention?

Would you be able to “stand”, as Daniel did, in the face of extreme adversity?

What if you were told today that you could no longer kneel and pray to your God? Would you have enough of a relationship with Him, enough “Christ in you” that fear of man couldn’t stop you from calling on His Name?!

Let’s talk about it! Leave a comment today with YOUR thoughts on Daniel, his accusers and his determination.

Then let us pray that we never face what Daniel did. But if we do, that we will have his strength of character and TRUST our God, that He is able to deliver us…and if NOT? We know we will forever be with our Lord!

Sharing with Making Your Home Sing, Living Proverbs 31, Modest Mondays, Hear it on Sunday, Use it on Monday, Sharing His Beauty, Memories by the Mile, Titus Tuesday, Titus2Tuesday, Testimony Tuesday, Growing Homemakers, UNITE, Walking Redeemed, Wedded Wednesday, Wake Up Wednesday, A Little R & R