The Oxford Dictionary defines integrity as "the state of being whole and undivided." A person of integrity is the same person everywhere they go. They do not act one way in one environment and a different way in another environment. They are fully committed to the things that matter to them without wavering. For followers of Christ, integrity means that living with unwavering devotion and commitment to God every moment of our lives. For example, Daniel's integrity and commitment to God were so apparent that everyone around him noticed.
Daniel 6 introduces a new king over Babylon, King Darius. King Darius appointed Daniel as one of his administrators. Daniel “soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers” (verse 3). Darius was so impressed by Daniel that he “made plans to place him over the entire empire” (verse 3). This, as you can imagine, made the king’s other officials very jealous. They “began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy" (verse 4). They decided that the only thing they could find against him was his religion (verse 5). They ultimately tricked King Darius into creating a rule banning anyone from praying to anyone but Darius, or else they would be thrown into a lion's den (verse 12). They knew that Daniel would defy this order, so they thought they would be able to get rid of him once the king signed this rule into law. As expected, Daniel defied this decree. In fact, he even opened his windows, which made it evident to anyone passing by his home that he was praying (verse 10). The king's officials saw Daniel praying and went straight to him, reminding him of his decree. The king was distraught because he valued Daniel greatly. There was nothing he could do to save Daniel, even though he tried. He ordered that Daniel "be arrested and thrown into the den of lions" (verse 16).
Before Daniel was thrown into the Lion’s Den, King Darius said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you” (verse 16). Indeed, His God did rescue him. The morning after Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den, the king found out that God had “shut the lions’ mouths” and kept Daniel safe (verse 22). King Darius was so joyous and grateful that he made a rule that everyone in Babylon “should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel” (verse 26). Indeed, God is the only one who can save.
What stands out about Daniel in this passage of Scripture is his integrity. He was so consistent and faithful to God that the only way they could get him in trouble with the king was to address his relationship with God. Even when his life was threatened, he did not stop praying to and following God. May we aspire to have this kind of integrity and unwavering devotion to our God.
For followers of Christ, having integrity means having undivided loyalty. Is there anything keeping you from having divided loyalty? Confess that to God now, and commit to letting go of anything keeping you from being a person of complete integrity, unwavering in your commitment to Him.
1Darius the Mede decided to divide the kingdom into 120 provinces, and he appointed a high officer to rule over each province. 2 The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the high officers and protect the king’s interests. 3 Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers. Because of Daniel’s great ability, the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.
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 criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. 5 So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.”
6 So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! 7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. 8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” 9 So King Darius signed the law.
10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 12 So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”
“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”
13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”
14 Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.
15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”
16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.
19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.
25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
“Peace and prosperity to you!
26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For he is the living God,
and he will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
and his rule will never end.
27 He rescues and saves his people;
he performs miraculous signs and wonders
in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
