Daniel 6:16-23~ Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions, Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19. Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel; and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21. Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. 22. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23. Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.
At the beginning of chapter 6 Daniel was over 80 years old. He was working with those who did not believe in God. But even in the midst of unbelievers Daniel proved to be more efficient and more capable than all the others. Therefore he got the attention and earned the respect of the pagan king. Many people that are serious about ministry want to be full time folks plucked out of the world and laboring with those that are full of the Holy Ghost and actually act like it. But I’m finding out though it’s a difficult and sometimes draining task that my best ministry field is in the workplace. If you want to know for sure that you been saved and are filled with the Holy Ghost, go to work in the midst of a bunch of unbelievers and see if you can make it through without needing somebody to lay hands on you. I don’t know about you but God must be taking me someplace big if it’s contingent upon the trials I have on my job. For me, I know you never have these issues but I’m talking about me right now. There are times that my old girl that has died, wants to be resurrected and just start cussing (not cursing) cussing, fighting, and birding (don’t act shocked I'm just being real). I have to remind myself that she’s dead and these characteristic are not an option for her as a Christian. At all times in all places we must represent Christ. Daniel represented Christ even in the midst of his trials.
God had set Daniel up in the midst of his enemies. It is a fact that when God is blessing, people start messing. Some folks just can’t handle seeing the favor of God on your life. It might be your best girlfriend, your ace dog, or your cuzin’ nem’ from way back, but if God starts blessing you too much they will turn. Darius the Mede was impressed by Daniel and this made the other officials jealous. So, they started being messy and looking for something to cause the rungs to be taken off of Daniel’s ladder of success. But guess what? When you are sold out for Christ there is nothing to criticize. The only thing they could find to attack Daniel was his relationship with Christ. What a dangerous part of someone’s life to criticize because in reality they are not criticizing you, but God. Who wants to criticize God? Who wants to pass judgment on the One who is the giver of the life, the one that puts food on your table and clothes on your back, and a roof over your head? Without God, saved or unsaved, we have nothing and we are nothing!
In Babylon the king’s word was law. When a law was made, even the king could not change it. Darius was very effective when it came to government administration but he had a pride problem. Pride is that satisfied feeling someone gets when they achieve something special that other people admire. By appealing to Darius’ pride, the presidents of kingdoms, the governors, princes, counselors, and the captains consulted together and talked Darius into making himself a god for thirty days. Thus, anyone who petitioned (or prayed) to any God or man other than the king for 30 days would be cast into the lions’ den. Watch out Daniel! They don't like the God in you! But God.....will make a way out of no way. :) Until tomorrow!
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