Because Daniel Had An Excellent Spirit Within - Part 2495

Many of us have heard about Daniel in the lion's den, and how the Lord shut the mouths of the lions -- much to the glee of the king. But the best of Daniel's life example is found in the details. Herein, we find the motives of men that led to King Darius making the decree. We also discover how the Lord turns everything into good for those who love Him.

From Daniel 6:

It pleased Darius to set over the whole kingdom a hundred and twenty princes, and above these three presidents. Daniel is listed as the first. The king structured it this way so that the princes might give accounts, and the king would have no damage. In time, this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because "an excellent Spirit was in him" -- and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

But as we know, some were not happy about this. So the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault. There was no reason to blame Daniel. Why is this true? As the scripture states, "Forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him." (Daniel 6:4)

Then said these men -- "We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God."

A couple of things come to mind. First, Daniel was faultless. Second, in order to find an occasion against Daniel, the blame they wanted to use against him had to concern the law of his God. Not the law of the land, or the rules of the whole kingdom, but had to be found in the law of his God. Obviously, the presidents and princes seeking to find fault with Daniel did not believe in his God.

So, the presidents and princes assembled together with the King, telling Darius that all the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, the princes, the counsellors and the captains have consulted together to establish a royal statute. A firm decree.

"That whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. Now O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of Medes and Persians, which alters not." (Daniel 6:7-8)

So the king signs the writing and the decree.

When Daniel finds out what the king has signed into writing, what does he do?

He goes into his house, and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneels upon his knees three times a day and prays, giving thanks before his God -- as he had always done aforetime. Please note that Daniel's response was not against the new decree, but rather, he continued to do as he had always done. (In our time, we would call this grandfathering in -- but I digress)

So those that convinced King Darius to sign the decree assemble to find Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Then these men spoke to the king concerning the king's decree, asking, "Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the lion's den?" (Daniel 6:12)

The king new this to be true, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians - which alters not. Then answered they before the king, "That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regards not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but makes his petition three times a day. Note that the king, when he heard these words was sore displeased with himself and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him.

"And he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him." (Daniel 6:14)

Then these men assembled unto the king and said unto the king, "Know O king that the law of the Medes and Persians is, -- that no decree nor statute which the king establishes may change." That sold the deal -- at least for Daniel's accusers.

What happens next? The king commands for Daniel to be cast into the lion's den. But before so doing, the king says to Daniel -- "Thy God whom thou serves continually, He will deliver thee!" (Daniel 6:16)

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. Then the king went to his palace -- and passed the night fasting -- his sleep taken from him. The king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with lamentable voice unto Daniel -- "Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God is thy God, whom thou serve continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?"

And Daniel replied, "O king live forever! My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lion's 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."

You could imagine how exceedingly glad the king was, as he commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. Note that no manner of hurt was found upon him -- because he believed in His God. (Daniel 6:22-24)

It turns out that the king made a new decree -- "That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for He is the living God, and steadfast forever, and His kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." (Daniel 6:26-27)

Daniel goes on to prosper in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyprus the Persian.

Why is this important for us this day? Because we are living in troubled times, when the world wants to accuse those of us who believe of things that are not right, just and true. Just like Daniel, these want to speak untruths and condemnation.  But like Daniel, we know in whom we serve. And we should also know -- like Daniel -- that no weapon formed against those who believe in the living God -- the one and same God who willingly became our Saviour Jesus the Christ shall prosper.

Stand in the offering plate.