Reading: Daniel 6:1-28

Excellence makes enemies! The excellent spirit in Daniel gave occasion for others to envy him and plot against him. Their plot wasn’t to just get him in trouble, but to get him killed. It’s interesting that their plot was counting on Daniel’s faithfulness, not his weaknesses. Are we faithful enough to attract opposition? When we attract opposition we also attract God’s help.

Living right attracts opposition from the enemy. We must realize that the enemy doesn’t want God’s people to rise to the top where they’re more visible. God likes to showcase what He’s doing in us so others will know that there’s a God. Don’t get offended when you’re attacked for being faithful to God – it’s a virtue and a compliment.

Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution.
2 Timothy 3:12

We attract God’s help when we are persecuted for His sake and He responds with a greater measure of grace and provision.

Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
2 Corinthians 12:10

Paul said “I take pleasure”! How you take persecution shows either your faith in God, or your fear of the enemy. Daniel knew that his promotion would provoke the self-ambitious and create opposition because that’s the way it is at the top.

Daniel had such a good relationship with the king that the king was displeased with his decision to pass the law that now persecutes the righteous and he looks for a way to help Daniel. Sometimes God doesn’t allow anyone else to deliver us because He’s planning on doing it Himself.

Not only does Daniel get delivered, but his enemies get the punishment that they planned for Daniel. God uses it all to show who is really in charge and who the real God is. Sometimes we’re in trouble because we’re supposed to be, so that God can become visible to others and we can be promoted.