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“For I am not ashamed of the Gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes…” (Romans 1:16)
Written by Joe Smith
If you missed part 1 of Daniel, be sure to check it out.
Everybody is ganging up on me!
The other “solid faith” event involves Daniel who was in the same boat as Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the original selection process. Daniel was able to move up the ranks as an administrator. He was high up and there was a new king who really liked Daniel. Unfortunately, there were some jealous lower ranking officials who “tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel…but they were unable to do so” (Daniel 6:4). These men wanted Daniel out, but there was nothing he had or had not done to deserve getting fired. He was devoted to the Lord and that showed in everything he did. He was excellent at his job because he knew his effort in all things reflected His love for God (Col.3:23).
These lower officials decided the only way they could get Daniel in trouble would be if some new law conflicted with “the law of his God” (Daniel 6:5). So, they went to the King without Daniel’s knowledge and lied to him, explaining that everyone had gotten together and decided to come up with a new law. They said to the King: “Anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den” (6:7). The King must not have known about Daniel’s faith and prayer life because he thought it sounded like a great idea and signed the decree.
Daniel responds with conviction and faces the Lions
Daniel’s response to the decree demonstrated his deep devotion to God alone. He went home and did exactly what he did every single day. He went upstairs to where he kept his windows open and knelt down to pray. He did this three times a day every day, just as he had always done. He could have held off on the public prayer for thirty days or at least closed the windows, but Daniel was so committed and firm in his faith that he refused to change anything about the way he worshiped God. He didn’t care about what others thought or who saw him praying. It should come as no surprise that these lower officials went to Daniel’s house and saw him praying and could hear him “asking God for help” (6:11). The rival officials wasted no time informing the king of Daniel’s actions. The king, who liked Daniel very much, did everything he could to get the law reversed. But, the lower officials were so crafty that the decree could not be reversed…even by the King. So, Daniel was brought out of his house and thrown into a pit full of lions overnight.
The next morning the King went out to the pit and called out to Daniel; asking if God had protected him. This was the response: “My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty” (6:21, 22). Daniel was on the receiving end of an absolutely incredible miracle! It says that Daniel would greatly prosper throughout the King’s reign. What an amazing blessing from God. Daniel refused to sway because the Lord was number one in his life.
Daniel's Faith is greater than the fear of Death
Daniel was rock solid in his beliefs and he was not willing to bend or break in any area. As Christians we carry this title at all times. We can’t be a Christian when times are going well and then change depending on the situation. We can learn from Daniel that our devotion should be a 24/7 kind of devotion and nothing should stop us from living for God. On your teams there will be times when you feel you should “close the windows” when adversity shows up, but we must stay strong. This doesn’t mean I think you should be bowing down in the middle of the dressing room to pray to God each day. I mean that your relationship with God is constant and should be the most important part of your life. For that reason you will represent Christ in the good times and the bad.
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