Living In The Light

July 18, Integrity In All Things

But they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error found in him.
—Daniel 6:4 LL 212.1

Darius now took possession of the throne of Babylon, and at once proceeded to re-organize the government. He “set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three presidents; of whom Daniel was first.” And “Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” The honors bestowed upon Daniel excited the jealousy of the leading men of the kingdom. The presidents and princes sought to find occasion against him concerning the kingdom. . . . LL 212.2

What a lesson is here presented for all Christians. The keen eyes ofjealousy were fixed upon Daniel day after day; their watchings were sharpened by hatred; yet not a word or act of his life could they make appear wrong. And still he made no claim to sanctification; but he did that which was infinitely better—he lived a holy, sanctified life. The true test of sanctification is the daily deportment. LL 212.3

The more blameless the life of Daniel, the greater was the hatred excited against him by his enemies. They were filled with madness, because they could find nothing in his moral character or in the discharge of his duties, upon which to base a complaint against him. “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” Three times a day, Daniel prayed to the God of Heaven. This was the only accusation that could be brought against him. LL 212.4

A scheme is now devised to accomplish his destruction. His enemies assembled at the palace, and asked the king to pass a decree, that no person in the whole realm should ask anything of either God or human, except of Darius the king, for the space of thirty days, and that any violation of this edict should be punished by casting the offender into the den of lions. . . . LL 212.5

. . . Daniel is aware of all that has been done. He is acquainted with the purpose of his enemies to ruin him. But he does not change his course in a single particular. — Review and Herald, February 8, 1881. LL 212.6

Further Reflection: : Why should followers of God be excellent workers of integrity? LL 212.7