Daniel 6:3

A REAL HERO

‘This Daniel.’

Daniel 6:3

I find at least three noble and outstanding qualities in Daniel which I covet for myself.

I. There is his fidelity to the earthly king.—He is too honourable, too incorruptible, too unbending in his loyalty to Darius, to be popular with the presidents and princes, who would willingly have feathered their own nests while protesting their faithfulness to their lord. So, in whatever station in life I am, I would fulfil my work as well as it can be fulfilled, I would hate everything fraudulent, and self-seeking, and false.

II. There is his courage on behalf of the truth.—I would copy him here. I would reverence the dictates of conscience, once it has been enlightened by the Word and Spirit of God. I would follow wherever it tends.

III. Best of all, there is his communion with God.—Three times a day he prayed and gave thanks. There, at last, is the hidden and potent secret of his fidelity, and the courage. I cannot pray too often and too earnestly. It is as I come down from the mount that my face will shine, and my garments will smell of aloes and myrrh and cassia.