[1] Daniel 6:3 - Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
Daniel was one of three leaders directly under King Darius. He shined more than the other two because of his excellent spirit.
Daniel had a good attitude in his work and his personal life.
[2] Daniel 6:4 - So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; not was there any error or fault found in him.
Daniel was such a faithful man that those who tried to find a flaw in his actions and his character were not able to.
Because they couldn’t find fault in him, they would have to make something up to get him in trouble.
[3] Daniel 6:10 - Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
Daniel was confronted with a test of his loyalty to God or to his king. He was a loyal subject of the king, but he knew that God deserved higher priority.
Daniel prayed and gave thanks to God, even under tough circumstances.
Daniel didn’t let the decree change his actions. He continued in his prayer life.
Daniel had a pattern to his prayer:
Daniel prayed in his upper room. This showed that it was a private prayer that was not done with the intention of impressing others.
Daniel prayed with his window open toward Jerusalem. This showed that he remembered where he came from and the importance of God’s city.
Daniel prayed according to Scripture. Solomon asked God to give special notice to the prayers of His people when they prayed towards Jerusalem.
1 Kings 8:30 - And may You hear the supplication of Your servant and of Your people Israel, when they pray toward this place.
Daniel knelt down on his knees when he prayed.
Daniel prayed three times that day. This showed that Daniel was in constant communication with God.
Daniel prayed and gave thanks. Daniel’s prayer was not just supplication, asking God for things, but also of thanksgiving.
[4] Daniel 6:20 - And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Daniel was known as the servant of the living God. This is a commendation on both Daniel and God.
[5] Daniel 6:21 - Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
Daniel is still humble after all that he has faced. He praises the king and does not berate him for his unkindness or gloat of the miracle that God performed.
This shows us that even when we are facing troubles in our lives, we should let God’s glory shine through our lives rather than try to boast of ourselves. This means remaining humble in the face of adversity.
[6] Daniel 6:28 - So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and Cyrus. This shows us that though we may have to go through persecution and trials in our lives if we are faithful to God, we will prosper.
