Daniel Chapter 6
Acts Of Jealousy Could Come Back To Bite You.
After King Belshazzar was killed, Darius became king in his place. King Darius then appointed 120 satraps and commissioners over the kingdom. And they were accountable to the three ultimate rulers over the kingdom of which Daniel was one of them.
The satraps and commissioners could see that King Darius liked Daniel and planned to make Him go head ruler over all the kingdom. They became jealous and were trying to think of a way to get rid of him. They could find no fault in him so they used his faith against him. They talked King Darius into signing an injunction that says, “If anyone bows down to worship any god other than King Darius in the next 30 days they will be thrown into the lions den.” The king signed the injunction and it could not be revoked.
Daniel knew of the injunction but continued to pray to God out his open window three times a day. When the satraps and commissioners saw that he was worshiping God rather than Darius, they went before Darius saying Daniel must be thrown into the lion’s den. King Darius was devastated by the news because he loved Daniel.
So Daniel was taken and thrown into the lion’s den. The king called out to Daniel, “Your God will save you!”
King Darius did not sleep all night, and at early dawn he got up and went to the den and called out to Daniel, “Was your God able to save you from the lions?” Daniel responded, “Oh king, live forever! My God sent an angel to shut their mouths.”
King Darius was very pleased and had Daniel taken from the den and then gave orders for Daniel’s accusers and their family members to be cast into the lion’s den. Then King Darius made a decree that all people were to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel.
We all are uniquely made and have our own God-given gifts. Let God develop our gifts to the fullest. Let us be excited for the gifts that we have and the gifts that others have. Quit comparing yourself with others as if they are better than you are. Quit looking down upon yourself, but be thankful and grateful to the Lord for the gifts that he has given you. Spend more time on living out God’s call on your life instead of being jealous of a person that you think is prettier than you, more handsome, stronger, faster, smarter, etc. Jealousy only causes division. You end up trying to be little to somebody versus letting God use you to the fullest. Don’t let your jealousy end up biting you like the Lions bit the jealous accusers of Daniel. It’s destructive.
