“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
God’s favor and blessing on Daniel are seen once again in verse 2. Darius selects Daniel to be one of the three overseers of the satraps. Thus Daniel is responsible for at least 1/3 of the Babylonian empire. (We are assuming Darius oversees all of the captured Babylonian empire and the three administrators report to him.)
Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators Daniel is an elderly man at this point in his life, likely around 80 years of age. Most people would have retired at this point. Yet Daniel was a faithful servant of God and he was given a task to do. Thus he shows us the meaning of Colossians 3:23. “And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men.” Daniel’s results distinguished him from the other administrators. His area was better run and the
king’s profits higher than under the other two administrators. This causes at least two problems.
First, Daniel would oversee at least 40 satraps. He would run a tight ship – by the rules. His job was to see that the king did not suffer loss and he would do just that. For the satraps under his supervision there would be no skimming of the profits, fudging on costs and expenses, lining one’s own pockets. Satraps under other administrators were likely getting rich as they took “their fair share” of the king’s profits. Not the satraps under Daniel which means they were probably becoming disgruntled. Second Daniel’s faithful work was seen in his results. This would make his peers look bad. In fact plans the results were so dramatic that the king began to make plans to place Daniel, at his advanced age, over the entire operations of the former kingdom of Babylon. When that happened Daniel made enemies.
What can we learn?
First, never assume God is through with you. At the time you least think it will happen, God will reach out and tap you on the shoulder to do something significant for Him. Be ready and be willing.
Second, whatever you are called to do, do it with your whole heart as unto the Lord. Compromising God’s Word to placate others will earn earthly but not heavenly applause.
Third, understand that serving God in your work is a spiritual battle. When people see the principles of God being applied, it
impacts them. Some may enjoy the justice and consistency they see. Others will get angered if God’s principles cost them
gain, profit or recognition.
Fourth, understand that God’s word ultimately results in anger. Believers are pilgrims on this earth. Its treasures are
not our treasures and its ways are not our ways. This bothers some for we desire to receive other’s applause for doing
right, doing God’s will in God’s way. This should not surprise us for the Lord said, “Remember the word that I said to you, ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you”.
Daniel’s obedience to God will lead to persecution which will lead to one of the most beloved stories in the Bible – all at the age of 80+.