Read: Daniel 6:1-28, 2 Peter 3:1-18, Psalm 119:129-152, Proverbs 28:21-22

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)

Relate: He was a Jewish exile. No, not Daniel. Peter. When he was seven years old, his family left Germany for Cuba. A couple years later they moved again to Chicago where he went to school and became an engineer. He was an incredibly talented one. First he helped make tractors, moved on to trucks, from there he was a VP for a German engine company before becoming the CEO of Porsche during their glory days in the 80’s. Now Peter travels around as a motivational speaker. One of the things he tells employers, don’t hire people for their talent. You can teach talent. Hire people for their character.

Daniel was one of the early exiles from Jerusalem to Babylon. Any time the Babylonians conquered a city, they took the leadership. They took the best and the brightest and brought them back to Babylon. It was a brilliant strategy, not only do you gather the greatest minds to your capital, you also remove your potential opponent’s ability to wage an effective war against you. Daniel was one of thousands of men from dozens of kingdoms brought into Babylon, but he rose to the top. As gifted as he was, I doubt he was the most intelligent, fastest, strongest, best looking or anything. But he was the best worker. Even his jealous enemies had to admit, this man is faultless.

React: How am I as an employee? What is my work ethic? I might never be the smartest, or the most gifted at my job. That isn’t up to me. I can only work within the giftings God has given me. But my work ethic, my effort, my diligence… that I can control. Am I working in a way that those around would respect and appreciate what I do? When I try to witness to my coworkers, does my job reputation help or hinder that voice. This world is not my home, just as Babylon was not the true home of the exiled Jews. But they were commanded to seek the prosperity of that land. Am I seeking to be a blessing to my coworkers, my company, and my community?

Respond: God, I don’t just pray for my blessing. I pray for the blessing of my place of employment. Help me to be a servant. Help my work habits be such that when I share about You, people will respect what I say because of the way I work and how I serve others. Help me, like Daniel, to be faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.

This is a devotional created by and for Two Rivers Assembly.