“So these governors and satraps [politicians] 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 [conspired] together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for 30 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.” [2]
How did Daniel respond to this decree? He prayed to God as he always had done. He was caught praying, he was arrested and he was thrown into the lions’ den. [3]
The king obeyed congress, but at the same time, expressed faith in Daniel’s God to rescue him: “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” [4]
The king also spent the night fasting. He arose very early in the morning to check on Daniel. He cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” [5]
Daniel testified to the king, “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.” [6]
“The king was exceedingly glad that “no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” The king sentenced those waged lawfare against Daniel to the lions. The lions loved it. Then King Darius decreed that “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.” [7]
“Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” [8]
Kings and a queen recognized that the Spirit of God was the One who empowered Daniel. “In him is the Spirit of the Holy God.” “Because I know that the Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” “The Spirit of the Holy God is in you.” “I have heard of you, that the Spirit of God is in you, and that light and understanding and excellent wisdom are found in you.” “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent Spirit was in him.” [9]
Jesus told His disciples not to worry about what they were to say when brought before authorities because the Holy Spirit would provide the right words for them to speak. [10]
It is important to note that Daniel loved the Lord and was a reader of God’s Word. For example, he read the Book of Jeremiah. [11]
Daniel had a heart for God and a heart for people, and the Lord protected and prospered him.
[1] Daniel 6:5
[2] Daniel 6:6-9
[3] Daniel 6:10
[4] Daniel 6:16
[5] Daniel 6:18-20
[6] Daniel 6:22
[7] Daniel 6:23-27
[8] Daniel 6:28
[9] Daniel 4:8-9, 18; 5:11; 6:3
[10] Luke 12:11-12
[11] Daniel 9:2
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