The Book of Daniel 6 opens with the administration of a new King, Darius, who took over rulership over the Babylonian Kingdom from King Belshazzar. Each of the chapters of the Book of Daniel opens with unique stories. In this article, I will discuss the 15 lessons to learn from Daniel 6. These are lessons I have personally caught when doing chapter by chapter study of the book of Daniel.
In case you missed my earlier post, kindly click here to read: 15 lessons to learn from Daniel 4
15 Lessons To Learn From Daniel 6
1. Be relevant in season and out of season
Daniel started working in Babylon under Nebuchadnezzar and became famous for his special abilities to interpret dreams. He again gained prominence because of his excellent spirit. Daniel became relevant during the reigns of King Nebuchadnezzar, King Belshazzar and in Chapter 6 under King Darius.
2. Avoid losses in life
King Darius realized that the kingdom was making some administrative losses because of the vast nature of Babylon, hence there was no proper accountability. By setting up leaders in various provinces, all leakages and losses would be blocked (Daniel 6:2).
3. Division of labour enhances productivity
Babylon by then under the leadership of Nebuchadnezzar to the time of Darius had enjoyed a peaceful economic life and had become prosperous. Nebuchadnezzar’s efforts in building Babylon into a great empire led to his pride that caused his mind to be turned into an animal for 7 years. Nebuchadnezzar attributed the development of Babylon to his own efforts and hard work and did not acknowledge the LORD for his success. The country has become prosperous and with a large population size, ensuring control, management and mobilization of tax into the royal treasury became difficult. It was therefore very wise for King Darius to divide the nation into regions or provinces and appoint princes to manage the provinces. As a result, Darius planned to appoint 120 satraps or princes or regional administrators to manage the affairs of regions (Daniel 6:1-3).
4. Excellence brings prominence
When you painstakingly develop yourself, abilities, spiritual gift things and your social skills, you do not struggle to be noticed in life. Being a commoner just like everyone else does not pave a way for you. You will struggle to be noticed and shine in your chosen field in life. Now let us take a careful look at this scripture:
“Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom”, Daniel 6:3
Other versions of the Bible render it that Daniel had an excellent spirit. The result of distinguishing himself led to his rise into prominence, hence, the King planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Excellence at work and in ministry is a great marketing tool. It sets you apart and makes you unique and incomparable. Remember that it is your additional exceptional skills that distinguishes you.
5. Rise to prominence brings enemies
Anytime people rise into a state of prominence through an exceptional skill or ability, enemies arise to fight them. The elevation of Daniel to become governor over the whole kingdom did not only cause jealousy and envy but led to devising strategies to pull him down.
“The administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (Daniel 6:4).
6. Live a faultless life
The administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds to find charges against Daniel but they could not find any. When you try to live a faultless life, people will find it very difficult to set traps and find faults against you. Now consider the report about Daniel below:
“They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (Daniel 6:4).
Where corruption thrives, evil deeds and schemes of men work to destroy innocent people become easier. When people cannot find any form of corruption in you, they will stay away from plotting evil against you unless it concerns compromising your faith.
7. When official laws become a trap.
Sometimes, laws are made because of just one person just to trap people and deny them of some privileges in life. Instead of celebrating with Daniel for his exceptional skills and qualities leading to his elevation,. the people rather plotted his downfall on how to eliminate him from his position and glory in life. Now, take a critical look at Daniel 6:7-8.
“The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered-in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed”
When people are bent on destroying others, they can go any length to orchestrate and scheme to pull people down. Because of Daniel, a law that cannot be repealed was passed by King Darius.
8. The unwavering faith of Daniel
Anyone at all can claim to be a child of God but it is troubles and tough times that reveal the depth of your love and faith. When your faith is grounded in the LORD, you understand that your walk with God is more of a relationship and not a ritual prayer.
9. The response to any form of attack on prayer life is prayer.
When your faith is being attacked through legal and illegal means, the first thing to do is to arise and pray. Any form of attack on your faith is not just a mere physical battle but a spiritual one as well. The attack was not just meant to destroy Daniel but to formalize idol worship.
10. Helpless helpers in life
In Genesis 37:21-27, Reuben tried to save Joseph from being killed by his own brothers but became helpless. His attempt to save Joseph from his own brothers’ murderous plans could not work. In that same manner, King Darius was distressed when he heard of the disobedience of Daniel and the consequences that would follow (Daniel 6:13-15). He tried all he could to prevent Daniel from the consequences of his disobedience but to no avail. Sometimes, the very people that could be of help to you in critical conditions are themselves incapacitated. One of the biggest lessons here is that, if God Himself does not help you, no one could do so and save you in critical times.
11. Any god that cannot save is not worth serving
As Daniel was being dragged to be thrown into the lions’ den, King Darius said: “May the God you continually serve save you” (Daniel 6:16). Early the following morning, King Darius called out and asked Daniel whether the living God has saved him (Daniel 6:20-12). King Darius saw that this was a miracle and on no account would one escape from hungry lions den unhurt. The following morning, indeed, the living God was able to shut the mouths of the hungry lions, kept Daniel unhurt and preserved his life. Any god that is not able to save and to deliver is not worth serving.
12. Whatever you do, think about your family
The men that plotted the evil idea of trapping Daniel to be caught and killed may not involve their wives and children in the planning process. It could be possible that some may inform their wives but the children may be left out of these evil schemes but the repercussions of their evil intentions did not affect them alone but their wives and children as well. Whatever you do, think of the possible repercussions that may come to your immediate family. Think about your wife or husband and what could happen to your children.
Now consider this verse for your understanding.
“At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones”, Dan. 6:24
13. Evil deeds and sin never go unpunished
The Bible says in Romans 6:23 that the wages of sin is death and the soul that sins shall die (Ezekiel 18:20). The people that plot evil and death for others should remember that the same thing could be done to them. The golden rule in the Bible is do onto others as you want them to do onto you (Matt. 7:12). When King Darius saw the deliverance of Daniel and got to know of the evil intentions of his nobles concerning the law that he passed, he ordered that the same punishment given Daniel be given to them, their wives and innocent children.
“At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones” (Dan. 6:24).
14. A decree to fear God without a decree to destroy other gods is nothing.
Nebuchadnezzar first made a decree in Daniel 2 that all should all fear and worship the God of Daniel, King Belshazzar also also did same in Daniel 5 and now King Darius also made a decree in 6 for all to fear and reverence the God of Daniel. The problem these 3 Kings made is just making a mere decree for all to fear God without making a decree for all stop worshiping idols and consulting mediums. When Nebuchadnezzar died and his son, Belshazzar took over the throne, he surrounded himself with the magicians, enchanters, astrologers and diviners who could not read the writings on the wall. Mere declaration without its accompanying decree to ban all other forms of idol worship becomes vain.
Read Also the previous article: 15 Lessons to learn from Daniel 5
15. Prosperity in tough times when God is with you.
When the LORD is with you, you shall prosper in the face of persecutions and trials. The Bible is full of accounts of people that prospered in critical conditions because the LORD was with them. A typical example was how Joseph prospered while even in prison. And now, the Bible said “So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian” Daniel 6:28.
Did you find the 15 lessons to learn from Daniel 6 interesting? Which of the above is your favorite lesson? Don’t forget to comment or share the 15 lessons to learn from Daniel 6 with your friends and loved ones.
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