Daniel a man of integrity

Who is the professional person, public servant or noble citizen you admire the most? Who in your mind, is your most favourite Ghanaian gentleman or outstanding lady?

Daniel stands out for me as one of my most favourite characters in the Bible. His name means God is judge. He was a man of sound godly character and highest integrity.

Daniel’s life and prophecies show that God is in perfect control and will have the final victory in spite of seemingly powerful and dominant cruel forces that crop in the process. Daniel lives a life of integrity in public service.

Let’s discuss briefly Daniel’s biblical biographical narrative.

Daniel was a young man of Judah’s royal family when the Babylonian Army first attacked Jerusalem in 605 BC (Daniel 1:3). Daniel was sent to exile in Babylon with Azariah, Hananiah and Mishael.

King Nebuchadnezzar trained these young men in his palace to serve his growing empire. During that training and season of life Daniel resolved not to pollute himself with unclean food.

Daniel and his friends emerged the brightest and healthiest of students and got employed in important positions with the king: “When the training period ordered by the king was completed, the chief of staff brought all the young men to King Nebuchadnezzar. The king talked with them, and no one impressed him as much as Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah.

“So they entered the royal service. Whenever the king consulted them in any matter requiring wisdom and balanced judgment, he found them 10 times more capable than any of the magicians and enchanters in his entire kingdom”. (Daniel 1:18-20).

In Chapter 2 when Nebuchadnezzar had a troubling dream, God revealed its meaning to Daniel. Here in Daniel’s story is a challenge of remaining faithful to God everywhere and every time.

Not being a chameleon taking on the colour of its environment and changing behaviour according to people around you. The Apostle Paul says, “Whether at home or aboard, we always make it our aim and our goal to please Christ” (2 Corinthians 5:9&10).

Is it your goal too to please Jesus at home, in the workplace and in the community?

Promotion of Daniel (v.1-3)  It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one 120 satraps, to be over the whole kingdom;  and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. 

Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 

Daniels service in the Market place lasted for nearly 70 years in all. And he established himself as an intelligent and most capable Administrator. Under Dairus the Mede in 539 BC, Daniel was to be promoted Prime Minister or head of government.

Daniel’s very capable management abilities were recognised by the king and he was going to be placed next in rank only to the king. (v.3). He was filled with excellent spirit and he distinguished himself.

 We Christians must prove to be higher performance achievers at the workplace. Isn’t it? But what do we see in Ghana: Lateness, addictions to cell phone even at work working hours and social media, reading the scriptures during working hours.

Daniel experienced good success and was a man of integrity however we learn also from the life of Daniel we should note that whoever leads a goodly life of integrity will suffer persecution. 2Timothy 3:16. The life of Daniel has exemplified this.

Plot against Daniel

Daniels new imminent promotion infuriated his political enemies, business and evil competitors and treacherous squatters! “We must eliminate Daniel” and they got to work on this.

 And here is my great teaser, v.4 “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 criticise or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy”.

The enemies could not punch any hole into Daniels integrity and his abilities were unmatched.

They resorted to matters of his private life - they trailed him to smell his strongest quality - his faithful worship of God!!

• Daniel was about 80-85 years old at this time. It is troubling to hear the alleged, treacheries, betrayals and confusion at the Electoral Commission (EC). Integrity seems to have fled through the windows.

We shouldn’t think that this is happening at the EC alone. There are other work places and business company teams going through similar situations or worse trouble.

• Daniel’s enemies’ plot hatched did succeed but look at Daniel’s response, “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days” v.10, NKJV.

What would have been your first response in such a situation?  Usually we would place a call to a key person we know or link up with very influential people by day or night to fix the problem?

Daniel’s first response was to pray to the almighty god. It is extremely important that we follow Daniel’s example here.

Prayer must be our first response rather than our last resort!