Daniel had lived in Babylon since he was a young captive. Now he was an old man serving King Darius, and he was so excellent that the king planned to put him over the whole kingdom. Jealous officials wanted him gone, but they could find nothing wrong with his work. So they set a trap using his faith. This familiar story is the perfect close to our series on heroes of faith, because Daniel’s faith was steady long before it was tested.
An Excellent Spirit at Work
Daniel was preferred above the other leaders “because an excellent spirit was in him” (Daniel 6:3-5). His enemies searched his record but found no error or fault, because he was faithful. Their only hope was to accuse him concerning the law of his God. What a testimony! Daniel served a pagan government honestly for decades without compromising his faith. Paul tells us to do our work heartily, as to the Lord and not to men (Colossians 3:23). Peter urges believers to live honorably among unbelievers, so that even those who speak against us may see our good works and glorify God (1 Peter 2:12). Your work ethic is part of your witness. People notice how Christians do their jobs.
What part of your work or schoolwork will you do with greater excellence and honesty this week as an offering to God?
Praying as Before
The officials convinced the king to sign a law that for thirty days no one could pray to any god or man except Darius. When Daniel knew the law was signed, he went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, knelt three times a day, prayed and gave thanks to God, “as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10). He did not hide, and he did not show off. He simply kept his habit of prayer. David had written, “Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray” (Psalm 55:17). When rulers command what God forbids, or forbid what God commands, we must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29). Daniel’s strength in crisis was built in daily, ordinary prayer.
What regular time and place for prayer will you build into your schedule this week, and who will you ask to keep you accountable?
The God Who Shuts Lions’ Mouths
The king tried all day to save Daniel but could not change his own law. As Daniel was thrown into the den, Darius said, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (Daniel 6:16). The king spent the night fasting and sleepless. At dawn he ran to the den, and Daniel answered, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths” (Daniel 6:22-23). No harm was found on him, because he believed in his God. Hebrews lists people who by faith stopped the mouths of lions (Hebrews 11:33). Paul also testified that the Lord stood by him and delivered him out of the mouth of the lion, and would preserve him for His heavenly kingdom (2 Timothy 4:17-18).
What fearful situation will you place in God’s hands this week, and what verse from today’s passage will you hold onto?
Conclusion
Daniel’s excellent work, steady prayer life and trust in God prepared him for the lions’ den. The God who shut the lions’ mouths is the same God who raised Jesus from a sealed tomb and will keep all who trust in Him until Christ returns. Like every hero in this series, Daniel was not perfect, but he believed God. That is the call for us too: live faithfully today, pray as before, and trust God with tomorrow.
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