”So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” Daniel 6:28
Daniels’ trial is over. He faced the lions and God was with him through
the den just as He walked with Hananiah, Azariah and Mishael through the burning fiery furnace. This is the last big test that we read Daniel faces but his work is not over. God leaves this elderly man in the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians for a reason. Daniel 6:28 tells us clearly that Darius and Cyrus are not the same person. Likely Darius communicates with Cyrus about the life of Daniel and how He has seen Daniel’s God work to protect Daniel in an impossible situation.
Scripture does not tell us but perhaps this test opens the door for Daniel to meet with Cyrus and to talk to Him of all God has done in Babylon, Perhaps he shared with Cyrus the 70 weeks of judgment on Israel that were coming to an end and how God decreed that Israel would go back to their land at that time. Perhaps God used this Godly elderly man to soften the heart of yet a third king so that the people could go back to their land in God’s time.
However God used Daniel, the words recorded in scripture show God’s observation on Daniel work – he prospered, he did well, he was a success in what God asked him to do. Again we see how obeying God is always the right solution no matter who is in power. God blessed Daniel under Nebuchadnezzar and Babylon because he served God faithfully. He did the same under Darius and Cyrus in the kingdom of the Medes and the Persians. Kings come and go, God alone is eternal.
What can we learn? First we see the ends of two different kinds of lives. The lives and careers of Daniel’s enemies come to an abrupt stop. Judgment falls on them and their families. It is a terrifying judgment, one they could only wish on others but which they themselves now suffer. Daniel’s life, however, is preserved. He lives long and prospers because of his faith in his God. God blesses his ministry which continued throughout the administration of Darius and into the reign of Cyrus, through whom God would deliver the captive Jews back to their land to rebuild the temple. God gave Daniel the joy of influencing another king so that God’s will and plan would be carried out. What a great picture of eternity. Believers prospering and serving God in meaningful ministry while unbelievers face a horrifying eternal death. Two ends, one choice. A choice every person must make.
Second we see the major way a believer witnesses for his God. The Lord taught us this truth in the Sermon on the Mount, “You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden. Nor do they light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a lampstand, and it gives light to all who are in the house. Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.” It is Daniel’s life that first attracts Darius and others to notice his God. They saw something in the way he lived that was different from all others they encountered. Daniel was not shy about verbalizing his faith. He spoke the truth in love yet before he did that it was his life that showed his deep commitment to his God. This is a great lesson for us in the evil generation in which we live. Our lives, our work, our behaviors are to be different to show people that our God is different.
Excellence and kindness earn the right to share the message why we are different.