the original Daniel in the lion's den

Yesterday our Daniel Bible study reached the well known chapter 6, Daniel in the lion's den. What a great chapter on integrity, implicit (with no qualification or question; absolute) trust in God, and man’s power versus God’s power. A few thoughts on this chapter -

Daniel became distinguished above all the other leaders, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Daniel, by his example of integrity, wisdom, and being anointed by God, received favor from the king.

His rivals could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. They plotted against Daniel knowing the only way they could destroy him would have to do with his devotion to God. They had the king decree that anyone who prayed to a god or man other than the king in the next 30 days would be cast into the lion’s den.
When Daniel knew that this document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.

He prayed and gave thanks to the One he knew and trusted in, the Lord his God. Sustained by God in this difficult hour, Daniel’s intimate knowledge of the Holy One of Israel superseded any fear of man or of death.

Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

After a fretful night for the king-

The king declared to Daniel, “O 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, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”
Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

Daniel trusted and God, the One who created the lions, closed their mouths. The king recognized God’s power and rule over all and NOW decreed:

Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you,
“I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.
“He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.”
So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.


God chose Daniel not only to endure severe trials, but to also reveal amazing truths about the future, such as the exact time of Messiah’s coming (Daniel 9), the succession of the world’s powers (Daniel 4 & 7), and end time events. Daniel 7 also reveals the Ancient One on the throne approached by a “son of man” who "was given authority, glory and sovereign power; all peoples, nations and men of every language worshiped him. His dominion is an everlasting dominion that will not pass away, and his kingdom is one that will never be destroyed." The book of Daniel is such a rich treasure.
We all know life is full of busyness. But the activity that should be a part of our lives, knowing God and seeking to know Him more through prayer and study of His Word, often gets pushed aside by a myriad of the necessary and the unnecessary. But truly, there is only one thing that is necessary (ask Martha).
Brothers and sisters, let us encourage each other to know the Lord Jesus our Messiah, the King of the universe, the true lover of our souls, and once we know Him to pursue a closer, day by day relationship with and knowledge of Almighty God. Then we will be like our brother Daniel, full of integrity, an excellent example to the unbelieving people around us, and one who fears and reverences God, not man. Thank God that He will graciously help us to accomplish this and that His mercies, new every morning, are more than enough for all our trials and sorrows.