Daniel 6:4-5, 10-21
4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.”
When you choose to honor God over all other things, your dedication will be tested. The world will persecute you but if you stand true to God, he will use the situation for his glory. These men could find no evidence of darkness in Daniel. They decided to use serving God as a way to find fault which ultimately was to exalt their king above God. BAD IDEA! These guys were definitely a thorn in Daniel’s side!
10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.
Daniel chose to honor God regardless of the consequences. Even after the obvious execution order was signed, he never wavered. Whether it’s persecution or laws signed by kings, never bow down to any man!
11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 12 Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.”
As we read, these were worldly men seeking to destroy Daniel. These men lived in darkness and were offended by the light.
14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him.
It says, “As soon as the king heard…”, he knew immediately he’d been tricked! Then the king “set his mind” on finding a way to fix this issue. Does this sound like many of you? You mess it up and now you try to fix it yourself?
17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel.
As you see, the stone was brought…you should know what’s going to happen! How many others have been shut in by a stone and left for dead? Lazarus? Jesus?
18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.
Here the king is again, spending all night with no sleep trying to figure out how to fix this mess he thought he’d caused.
19 Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. 20 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
The king still had a troubled voice upon arrival to the den. Why? He’s acting like he was in the den all night! I like how he mentions “has your God, whom you constantly serve”, he knew Daniel served God constantly!
21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.”
What you don’t realize is the mouths of these lions were shut way before him being thrown in! When you honor God at all times, he will rectify the situation in your favor in the end. He served God constantly and this was a victory already in place from the beginning.
This could be the situation in your life right now. You have something coming against you.
You’ve been up all night worried, trying to figure out how it’s going to work out.
If you notice the only one up all night worried was the king who did not know God.
Do you know God? Do you trust him? Why are you up and worried?
Child of God, go lay down, the lions mouths have been shut. The stone will be rolled away in the morning.
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