And once again, we have started a new month. Happy October!
We are continuing our study in the book of Daniel, for the adventure is not over for him and his story. Let’s begin in Chapter 6.
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. (Daniel was favored by the Lord and his cohorts didn’t like it.) So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” (HERE COMES THE SET UP!)
So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. (He had a decision to make. It was an easy one for him. We don’t know the dialogue he had with the Lord up to that point, but for him it was business as usual. HOW BRAVE! Also, I want to make note that the texts reads this was his custom since an early age. Daniel and his friends were young when they were brought to Babylon, so he had been very disciplined in his faith practices since a child.)
Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. (The king did not want to lose Daniel. I wonder if he realized he had been played?) Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” (Even the king hoped his faith would see Daniel through for his sake.) Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his Lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. (This is a sign he was emotionally distraught. Have you ever been there? I know I have. Stomach in knots, can’t eat, mind on heavy things.) Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” (WHAT A STORY!)
Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, (I like that, for it makes me believe he actually cared deeply for Daniel.) and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. (Those men’s choice not only ended their lives, but their wives and children lives. JEALOUSY IS A KILLER.)
Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”
-Daniel 6:1-28 NKJV
What a story!! What a victory!! Daniel was vindicated by the Lord. You didn’t see him try to get out of it. You didn’t see him fight the king or the ones trying to sabotage him either. He just followed the protocol that was decreed. Could he really have been that understanding? His life was on the line. I just have to believe Daniel had an inside scoop or he just knew from his history with the Lord that the character of God was to rescue. WE SERVE A GOD WHO RESCUES US!! For the king said it best, “He delivers and rescues. And he works signs and wonders in heaven and on the earth.” Amen and amen.
This may have happened many years ago, but I believed this decree will be in effect from then until eternity. Daniel never wavered. He was a man of no faults to be seen. That bothered his co-workers, for they knew they could not measure up. Daniel was never trying to compete, but his favor rubbed them the wrong way.
If you feel you are not being treated well in your work place because of your faith, hold on. Pray diligently. The Father is coming with a rescue plan better than you ever thought possible. At the end of this chapter, Daniel got promoted. You too have an opportunity to see the favor of the Lord in your story. Daniel gives an amazing example of a man who prayed three times a day. The text didn’t mention how long he prayed, but I believe the frequency allowed him to keep in constant communion with the Father. That level of commitment gave him the patience and confidence to walk through any and all trails. I would love just an ounce of that kind of faith and trust.
I hope this week’s blog has shed a little more light on an old Sunday school story. It’s one that never gets old. I believe if you sit with Jesus this week and ask Him for something fresh from the text, He will share something new with you. If you do take me up on this challenge, please comment below what the Lord has told you. For, sharing is caring, and I sure do love hearing how He is caring for you through His Word that is true. ☺️
Until next time,
Stay Tender
Connect to the Mender
Be a Sender
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