Eld Ko Swee Chay

God Delivers and Honours His Faithful Servant

 (Daniel 6)

Introduction

Daniel chapter 6 records the unyielding faith of Daniel. When faced with a life-and-death decision, he was faithful and obedient to God, choosing to obey God rather than man.

The believer’s faith will be tested when faced with a dire situation. The book of Daniel gives us three examples of such situations when the laws of man conflict with the Word of God and the encouraging outcomes:

1. Daniel 1 - eat the king’s food that is unclean or face the king’s wrath.
2. Daniel 3 - fall down and worship the golden image made by the king or be cast into the fiery furnace.
3. Daniel 6 - stop praying to God for 30 days or be cast into the lion’s den.

1.  The rooted faith – an excellent spirit was in Daniel (Dan 6:1-3)

King Darius, the Median, set up 120 princes (or governors) over the kingdom to safeguard his interest. These princes are accountable to three presidents, with Daniel being one of them. By now Daniel was over eighty years old, yet he was still blessed with so much skill and ability that Darius favoured him over the other two presidents and made him chief of presidents. Daniel excelled above his colleagues because God was with him and blessed him with an excellent spirit (Dan 6:3).

2.  The test of faith – Daniel’s enemies plotted to destroy him (Dan 6:4-9)

Daniel’s enemies, the other two presidents and the princes, plotted to destroy him. They tried extremely hard to find fault with Daniel, but at last they admitted “they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.” (Dan 6:4). However, they wanted to find something relating to his faith that could be used against him (Dan 6:5). What a wonderful testimony from Daniel’s enemies about him, concerning his faithfulness to God!

Determined to destroy Daniel, they assembled and tricked king Darius to sign a decree that anyone who prays to any god or man except to the king for 30 days shall be cast into the lions’ den. According to the law of the Medes and Persians, decrees signed by the king could not be changed or altered (Dan 6:7-9).

Take note that the statement made by the conspirators in Daniel 6:7 “All the presidents …, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree …” was false, for Daniel the chief president had not been consulted in the matter. This is a common tactic employed by the enemies of God’s people to set up an evil plot to bring them down.

3.  The trust in faith - Daniel chose to obey the laws of God rather the laws of man (Dan 6:10-13)

When Daniel knew that the decree was signed, there was no sign of fear. He chose to obey the laws of God rather than the laws of man. He continued his daily prayers. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; his window being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Dan 6:10, emphasis underlined.)   

To avoid violation of the decree, Daniel could have thought of various safe and simple options, such as closing the windows before praying, silent prayer in his heart, or stop praying for 30 days; and reason within himself that God knows and understands, and it is ok. Being a man who knew God’s Word and promises, he chose to honour and please God by obeying the laws of God rather than the laws of man. He was prepared to face the consequence even unto death. He kneeled down and continued to pray three times a day as he did before. This is not to let others see or to put God to the test, rather it was his consistent and steadfast practice because of his faith and trust in God. He faced toward Jerusalem; this showed that he remembered the words of Solomon given in his dedicatory prayer of the house of the Lord (1 Ki 8:29 & 35, 2 Chr 6:36-39).

Daniel’s vicious enemies who had set up the trap were delighted to find him praying before his God. Having secured the evidence, they went to the king and made accusations against Daniel and reminded the king of the decree he had signed (Dan 6:11-13).

4.  Suffering for the faith - Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den (Dan 6:14-18)

When the king heard the accusations against Daniel, he was greatly displeased with himself and tried desperately to find a way to deliver Daniel, but to no avail. Daniel’s enemies reminded the king that no decree established by the king could be changed according to the law of the Medes and Persians. He had no choice but to keep the word of the decree. Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den. After sealing the mouth of the den with his own signet, Darius returned to the palace. He fasted and had a sleepless and miserable night, worrying for Daniel.

This is a lesson for all of us, especially the leaders of the church, to be aware of deceptions and falsehood, avoid impulsiveness, and always check and verify all the data and information before making decisions and acting

5.  The outcome of faith

5.1  God delivered Daniel from the lions’ mouths (Dan 6:19-23)

Very early the next morning, the king rushed to the den. He cried with a painful voice unto Daniel: “O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (Dan 6:20). Then Daniel said to the king “My God hath sent his angel and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they hath not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” (Dan 6:21-22). This clearly was a miracle by the LORD. This is a marvellous testimony of Daniel’s faith in God as Hebrew 11:33 testifies, “Who through faith ……, stopped the months of lions”. The misguided king was exceeding glad for Daniel and commanded to take him out of the den. Daniel was not hurt among the ravenous lions, “because he believed in his God.” (Dan 6:23). God’s omnipotent power was demonstrated in supernaturally shutting the lions’ mouths!  

We need to take note that throughout history there have been many faithful men and women like Daniel whose lives were lost even though they obeyed God instead of men. The LORD was faithful to deliver them by taking them home to glory, for their work was done.

5.2  God punished Daniel’s enemies and promoted Daniel (Dan 6:24-28)

The king took immediate vengeance upon those who had tricked him. He commanded that Daniel’s accusers together with all their household be cast into the lions’ den (Dan 6:24).  He then made a new decree which was sent to all people, nations and languages that “men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.” (Dan 6:25-26). The king acknowledged the power of God who had delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (Dan 6:27). This is amazing and wonderful, for God’s name was highly exalted and magnified among His people and the heathen! As for Daniel, he “prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyprus the Persian.” (Dan 6:28).  

Romans 8:28 says “And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.” Daniel was called to serve God during the time of Israel’s exile, as a “salt and light” and shining testimony to God’s chosen people and the heathen nations. He loved God and was faithful and obedient to God no matter what. May we also do likewise, love God, obey His Word and be faithful to Him, and know that if we do so all things will work together for good.       

Conclusion

The event in Daniel chapter 6 should comfort every believer who is walking uprightly before Him, and confident in His Word and power.  God honoured Daniel by blessing him with an excellent spirit. Daniel was preferred above all other dignitaries because he was faithful, obedient, and loyal to God without fear of men. He was faithful and diligent in his duty as a president, and even his enemies were unable to find any error or fault. When faced with a life-and-death situation, he chose to obey God rather than fear man. His enemies plotted to destroy him because of his faith in God. The unyielding faith, steadfastness and unmoveable demeanour of Daniel is a great example to follow.      

At the beginning of the new year 2021, let us make a commitment to renew our love, zeal, and fervency to God; to continue to trust and obey Him; to live a God-honouring, God-pleasing and Christ-centred life; and to serve Him faithfully to the best of our ability. “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.” (1 Cor 15:58) AMEN.