To keep Daniel from being promoted, these men set a trap for Daniel. (Daniel 6:5-8) They convinced the king to sign into law that for the next thirty days, whoever prays to any man or god, instead of to King Darius, will be cast into the lion’s den. (Daniel 6:7)
Look at how Daniel responds to his learning of this new law:
Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Daniel 6:10
“Just as he had done before”—these six words testify to the unshakeable faith of Daniel. He didn’t pause to think how he could keep praying to God, but not get caught. He didn’t stop praying to God. He didn’t close his windows to hide the fact that he was still praying to God. He wasn’t concerned who might hear or see him praying. He didn’t cut his prayers from three times a day to just once a day. Daniel went home and prayed to the Lord “just as he had done before.” Daniel wasn’t phased by this new law or its consequences one bit. None of these things moved him. (Acts 20:24)
Observing Daniel's steadfast faith, Spurgeon declares,
“I do not find that he was at all distracted or disturbed. The words,'As he had done aforetime', seem to imply that he went upstairs as calmly as he had been accustomed to do. His servants would not have known from his behavior that any law had been made. He always had gone at that hour to pray, and they could hear him pray just as earnestly as he ever had done. Here he makes no alteration; he takes not the slightest possible notice of the king’s decree. At the same place, at the same hour, in the same posture, and in the same spirit, the prophet is found. This indicates to us the Christian’s duty under persecution-he should act under persecution as he would have done if none had arisen.”
Inevitably, Daniel’s unwavering devotion to God is found out and King Darius, regrettably orders Daniel to be thrown into the lion’s den. (Daniel 6:14, 16) However it is interesting that between King Darius and Daniel, the night that Daniel was cast into the lion’s den, the one who couldn’t sleep was King Darius. David Guzik explains,
“Undoubtedly, Daniel had a better night’s rest than Darius. We can be sure that Daniel prayed in the lions' den, because it was simply his habit to pray. He did not need to start praying on this remarkable occasion because the habit of prayer was well ingrained in his life.”Regarding Daniel’s night with the lion’s Spurgeon observes,
"In any case he must have had a glorious night. What with the lions, and with angels all night to keep him company, he was spending the night-watches in grander style than Darius." (Daniel 6:22)
“And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” (Daniel 6:23) By faith Daniel was divinely protected from the paws and the jaws of the lions. When Daniel was about to be cast into the lion’s den, he undoubtedly trusted in the Lord to work his situation to good (Romans 8:28), despite the fact that he would be thrown into a pit of ravenously hungry lions. (Psalm 84:11) It was this unwavering trust in God that made Daniel’s night with the lions anything but frightening.
How could Daniel not be terrified as he was cast into the lions den? The secret to his faith existed in the words of the apostle Paul, “I know whom I have believed.” (2 Timothy 1:12) Daniel knew the Lord, whom he had believed better than the people closest to Daniel. Because of this, Daniel rested in the knowledge that God would neither leave him nor forsake him. (Deuteronomy 31:8 Somehow, someway, God was going to work his circumstances to good. Regarding Daniel’s belief in God, Spurgeon declares,
“I know the Person into whose hand I have committed my present condition, and my eternal destiny. I know Who he is, and I therefore, without any hesitation, leave myself in His hands.”
When faced with a fiery trial, can you like Daniel, be at total peace because you know the heart and character of God better than you know anyone else? If you desire an unshakeable faith like Daniel’s daily, and diligently, “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)
As a result of Daniel’s unwavering trust in the Lord, when “Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.” (Daniel 6:23) Daniel counted God faithful (Hebrews 11:11) and as a result, God blessed Daniel above anything he could think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20-21)
Some may dismiss Daniel being untouched by the lion’s, saying “The lions had probably just stuffed themselves eating before Daniel was thrown into the den with them and, therefore, didn’t have a desire to devour Daniel.” However, when we read about Daniel’s accusers being thrown into the same pit Daniel had just been brought out of, we see just how miraculous it was that Daniel had not been touched by the lions. When Daniel’s accusers were cast into the lion’s den, “the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.” (Daniel 6:24) This is not the behavior of well-fed lions. Rather, it is the actions of starving lions cooped up in a pit, who don’t know when they will eat again, and who need to be ready at a moments notice to pounce on whatever is thrown down to them before the other lions get to the food before they do. This is the condition of the lions when Daniel was thrown down to them. Yet, by Daniel’s faith in the Lord, he came out untouched, believing in God’s faithfulness more than he ever had before.
What intimidating circumstances are you facing? A health crisis? A layoff or job loss? A loved one being military deployed? Whatever you are facing, however bleak your circumstances look, like Daniel, rest in your knowledge—knowing whom you have believed (2 Timothy 1:12) placing you full confidence and hope in God, doing just had you had done before. (Daniel 6:10) As a result, God whom you count faithful (Hebrews 11:11) will surely show Himself faithful in your situation. In the words of Jesus, “Do not be afraid, only believe.” (Mark 5:26)
Copyright © 2010 Brooke Espinoza.
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Notes:
1. Spurgeon, Daniel's Undaunted Courage. http://www.recoverthegospel.com/Old%20Recover%20the%20Gospel%20Site/Spurgeon/Spurgeon%201-1000/815.pdf
2. Guzik, David. "Study Guide for Daniel 6." Enduring Word. Blue Letter Bible. 7 Jul 2006. 2010. http://www.blueletterbible.org/commentaries/comm_view.cfm?AuthorID=2&contentID=7791&commInfo=31&topic=Daniel&ar=Dan_6_18
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