A Consistent Faith

“It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said, ‘We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.’

Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: ‘King Darius, live forever! All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.’ Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.” Daniel 6:1-10

God’s faithfulness to us does not depend on our behavior. Paul reminded Timothy of God’s firm trustworthiness: “If we are faithless, He remains faithful, for He cannot deny Himself” (2 Timothy 2:13). It does not imply that our consistent obedience is unnecessary for a life of faith. As we practice daily faithfulness to God, our faith in Him is fortified. Such was the case with Daniel. His life reflected unswerving devotion to Jehovah. He lived and worked in the spirit of faithfulness.

You can cultivate faithfulness to Christ through a lifestyle of conviction. Conviction simply means you have decided to acknowledge Christ in all your ways. You do not compromise for personal gain or acceptance but stay on a godly course. You do not succumb to rationalization or yield to pressure. You refuse to be detoured from God’s Word.

Faithfulness is also fostered by a lifestyle of commitment. Commitment stems from conviction. Christian commitment is based on love for Christ. You obey Him because He has given Himself for you. Be faithful through conviction and commitment, and your faith will be steadily nourished.

“Belief means...that everything Christ says is true.” -William Barclay