Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

Daniel was a remarkable man of God. He was one of the Jews of noble birth who had been sent to Babylon with all the other exiles from Judah after the fall of Jerusalem. Despite dwelling in the midst of an evil pagan empire, Daniel prospered and rose up the ranks of the Babylonian administration under King Nebuchadnezzar. His story is a message of hope to any true believer caught up in a situation controlled by non-believers.

Our verse for today tells us that the reason for Daniel’s success, even among God’s enemies, was this: “He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” These are qualities that serve a person well in any situation, and they served Daniel well despite the pagan religion of the Babylonian government.

Daniel’s pagan colleagues, however, were jealous of his promotion and plotted his downfall (Daniel 6:3). The very qualities that allowed him to be promoted would be used against him. They laid a trap to pit his principles against the law of the king.

The happy ending of this part of Daniel’s story shows us that it’s possible for a believer to overcome the opposition of enemies in a situation controlled by non-believers. God delivered Daniel from the hands of his enemies and they suffered the fate they had plotted for him (Daniel 6:24). The faith that was used as an excuse to destroy, was the very thing that moved God to save Daniel from the hand of his enemies.

Are you in a situation now in which you feel surrounded and unsupported? Remember you are not alone. Keep being faithful, responsible, and trustworthy. God can help you to flourish and to overcome despite the jealousy of the enemies that surround you.