Among LionsSample

CONTEXT: Daniel’s coworkers conspire against him.

Have you ever had someone who was jealous of you? Maybe a friend who tried to sabotage a relationship or a coworker who held you back by taking credit for your work and ideas.

Yesterday, we saw that Daniel’s faithfulness, integrity, and consistency made him a favorite among the kings. It also caused Daniel to make some enemies. Daniel’s devotion to God ultimately set him apart. His work ethic didn’t depend on who the leader was at the time, if he liked them, or if he agreed with their policies. Daniel served one God, and it was out of his love and devotion to Him that he could serve each king well. However, this didn’t make him popular with other Babylonian leaders.

Daniel was up against jealous men who envied his achievements and advantages. When they couldn’t find fault in his character, they devised a plan to attack his faith. Daniel had a reputation for unwavering devotion to God throughout his life. Now, his coworkers were using his faithfulness against him.

Like Daniel, our purest motives can come under attack when confronted by jealous people. On the other hand, we can be the ones consumed with jealousy, unwilling to share what we have with others so we can get ahead. Our envy leads to discontentment. We see social media highlights of someone’s life and wish we had their success, friends, money, title, house, or vacation.

Daniel learned early in his life to be content, whether a prisoner in exile or a chief administrator to the king. Those things didn’t define him, so they were of little value to him. Likewise, when others were jealous of him and tried to tear him down, Daniel was unmoved because his confidence was in God alone.

CONSIDER THIS:

1. Consider your own heart; is there anything you’re jealously protecting? What would it look like for you to surrender your selfishness and/or envy?

2. Examine your relationships. Is there anyone who’s hurt you out of their own jealousy that you need to forgive?

3. Write a prayer asking for God to reveal and forgive any jealousy or discontentment you might have in your heart.