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. (Daniel 6:4,5 NLT)

Things haven’t changed much when it comes to the scrutiny society and the media place upon leaders, especially if those leaders are not of their political or religious bent. Daniel’s peers were fiercely jealous of this indispensable man with his uncanny wit to solve problems and riddles. He was fearless and not in the least bit interested in political correctness or conforming to the social mores of the foreign culture he found himself in.

What did it take to be such a person of integrity, flawless in character, peerless in insight, blameless in scrutiny? Reading through Daniel, you can pick up some of his core values. Here are a few that stand out:

Prayer. An undivided devotion to God, to prayer and to thanksgiving.
Health. A strong commitment to health and adherence to the Levitical dietary laws.
Friendship. Valued and promoted the welfare of godly friends.
Financial Integrity. He wasn’t swayed by financial gain. He couldn’t be bribed or bought.
Courage. Committed to God to the death, with no thought to self-preservation.

Father,

Thank you for godly examples of true leadership in your Word. Give me the heart of Daniel, willing to be thrown to the lions before I will compromise my commitment to you.

Amen
“They triumphed over [satan] by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death.”  (Revelation 12:11)