Daniel 6:1–3 (NLT) 1 Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. 2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king's interests. 3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel's great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
Daniel 6:4 (NLT) 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.
Faithfulness is doing the right thing for a long time.
You don't get fruitful without being faithful. "Lasting is the only fruit that matters." John 15:16 (NLT) You didn't choose me. I chose you. I appointed you to go and produce lasting fruit… Exemplifying Faithfulness 1 Corinthians 4:2 (NIV) Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. 1. Be Responsible
1 Peter 4:10 (NIV) Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms.
2. Be Trustworthy Are you worthy of trust? Trust is built! Are your proving yourself trustworthy?
You can't demonstrate royalty without demonstrating loyalty.
3. Have Integrity Daniel 6:4 (NIV) They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent.
Hebrews 13:18 (NLT) Pray for us, for our conscience is clear and we want to live honorably in everything we do.
Daniel 6:5 (NLT) 5 So they concluded, "Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion."
Daniel's faithfulness to God was predictable.
Daniel 6:6–11 (NLT) 6 So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, "Long live King Darius! 7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. 8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked." 9 So King Darius signed the law. 10 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. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel's house and found him praying and asking for God's help.
Daniel 6:14-23 (NLT) 14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament. 15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, "Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed." 16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, "May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you." 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn't sleep at all that night. 19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions' den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?" 21 Daniel answered, "Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty." 23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
Faithfulness starts with faith.
Faithfulness grows with faith.
Faithfulness takes courage.
"When we trust God we get to see what he can do."
Faithfulness is doing the right thing for a long time.
