Daniel 6:28 “So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”
I like the word prosperous. There are several places in the Bible where God tells us how to be prosperous. For instance Joshua 1:7-8 says this “Only be thou strong and very courageous, that thou mayest observe to do according to all the law, which Moses my servant commanded thee: turn not from it to the right hand or to the left, that thou mayest prosper whithersoever thou goest. 8. This book of the law shall not depart out of thy mouth; but thou shalt meditate therein day and night, that thou mayest observe to do according to all that is written therein: for then thou shalt make thy way prosperous, and then thou shalt have good success.” Prosperous is defined as good success.
In this article today I want to take a brief look into the book of Daniel and follow his life while in Babylonian captivity, and see what brought him to the place of prosperity in a strange land. It didn’t just happen by chance. There are definite threads that we can follow to get a glimpse of his character and the choices he made that brought him to verse 28, “So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”
This prosperity that Daniel enjoyed was because of a decision that he had made some years before. We find it in Daniel 1:8 “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself.” We see that he had a definite purpose for his life which was that he would stay pure and right in the sight of God and men. If you are ever going to be a successful Christian, you will have to do it on purpose. It can’t be a superficial decision; it must be from the heart. Daniel purposed in his heart (from something way down deep inside).
He was committed. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “If any man come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.” I believe Daniel knew that this decision could cost him, but he was willing to pay the price to have God’s favor.
Now look what God did because of Daniel’s purpose of heart. Chapter 6, verse 3 says “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes.” Why? Because of an excellent spirit that was in him. That excellent spirit was given to him when he made a decision to be faithful to God. Look with me at verse number 4 “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; for as much as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.” We see that same preference over in chapter one verse 9, “Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.”
He was later delivered from the lion’s den because of his purpose of heart and commitment to that purpose.