Читать книгу Beyond the Horizon - Harry A. Renfree - Страница 60

February 23

The story of Daniel is always thrilling. He got into deep trouble, strangely enough, just because he was trustworthy, a man of absolute integrity. That’s actually why he was thrown into the den of lions.

As a youth, he was taken captive from Jerusalem to Babylon. Through his sheer strength of character, he was conscripted into the service of the Babylonian king and soon rose to the top— the chief administrator of the country. When the Medes conquered Babylonia and Darius became ruler, Daniel was again given charge of the land. Some of his fellow administrators, his juniors, were jealous and furious that this foreigner should be their chief, so they plotted against him.

But as the Bible says in Daniel 6:4b, “They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy.” Daniel’s enemies knew that the only way they could “get him” would involve “something to do with the law of his God” (Daniel 6:5b). So they convinced the pagan Darius to decree that for thirty days everyone was prohibited from praying to any god or man, except to the emperor. Daniel, of course, still trustworthy, a man of integrity, could not do this, and he continued to pray regularly to the God of heaven. And his windows were open; he could be seen. The windows were not open to defy anyone, but to continue Daniel’s prayers to God as he had always done.

Daniel had to go to the lion’s den although the king did everything he could to prevent it. God closed the mouths of the lions, and Daniel came out unscathed . . . to resume his responsibilities.

Daniel, a man of God, a man of absolute integrity, no matter what it cost—he was a hero and a man who has greatly influenced succeeding generations.