It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. 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. 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.” Daniel 6:1-5 NASB
As you read this account, keep in mind that Daniel is in the king’s service because he was taken captive when Babylon conquered Jerusalem. Since he was living in exile, it would be understandable if Daniel possessed a bitter spirit, yet we are told that his spirit is so extraordinary that others take notice and he begins to distinguish himself among his peers. Daniel has not allowed the difficult circumstances to negatively effect his attitude, instead, he is serving faithfully. When his enemies want to discredit his name, they cannot find any evidence of negligence or corruption. He is living his faith out before them in such a way that they clearly see his passion for God.
Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever! All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. 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. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Daniel 6:6-11 NASB
Daniel’s desire to please God was the driving factor in his life. He served the king of Babylon faithfully not to gain the king’s favor, but because he knew that’s what God desired. Daniel was a man of prayer and nothing was going to stop him from bowing his knee to God as he had always done. There’s something to be said for consistency. Regardless of the circumstance, where ever Daniel found himself, he had determined to seek the Lord, to call on His name and give Him thanks.
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.” 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. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” 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. 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. Daniel 6:13-18 NASB
There are two dynamics presented here that we can learn from. First, when you consistently serve the Lord, without wavering, there will be a segment of people who will not like you, may even despise you, and will do their best to trip you up. Why? Because Satan takes pleasure in working through people. Secondly, when you consistently serve the Lord, without wavering, there will be some who see your life, will have great respect for you, and will be drawn to your God. Why? Because God takes pleasure in working through you and me. This pagan king did not know the God of Israel, yet he saw, through Daniel’s faithful service, a God worth seeking! The world around you is watching your life, learning from the way you respond to disappointment and hardship. Will they see a faithful servant of God who consistently displays an extraordinary spirit?
Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. 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?” Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! 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.” Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel 6:19-23 NASB
At some point in Daniel’s life, he had determined to serve God faithfully no matter what the circumstance. He was living in exile, serving a foreign king for no fault of his own. And now he faced the lions. He was innocent before God and had committed no crime against the king. I can only imagine what he was thinking as the ropes lowered him down into that den. Yet he didn’t waver. God had given King Darius a gift. He placed before him a man who would demonstrate complete trust in God. How about you? When you find yourself in tough times from no fault of your own, suffering hardship although you’ve done nothing wrong, how do you respond? What does your response demonstrate to those watching your life?
So Daniel was taken up out of the den…. When life is hard and the lions are right in front of you, remember that your situation is only temporary. One day, the rope will appear, you’ll grab hold of it and be lifted up out of the den. Keep trusting!