Daniel 6

"It pleased Darius (62 yrs. old) to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with 3 administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel (80 yrs. old.) Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this , the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, 'We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.'

So as a group they devised a plan to get King Darius to issue an edict that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next 30 days would be thrown into the lions' den. So the king agreed and put the decree in writing.

When Daniel learned of the decree he went home and prayed. Three times a day he got down on his knees, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. When the group found Daniel praying to his God they reported it to the king. So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king who was distressed, said to Daniel, 'May your god, whom you serve continually, rescue you!'

The king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating, and he could not sleep. At first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, 'Daniel has your god, been able to rescue you from the lion?'

Daniel answered, 'O king, live forever! 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 , O king.'

The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Then the king commanded that the group who falsely accused Daniel be thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives & children.

Then King Darius wrote to all the people,

nations and men of every language throughout the land:

'May you prosper greatly!

I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom

people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.

For he is the living God

and he endures forever;

his kingdom will not be destroyed,

his dominion will never end.

He rescues and he saves;

he performs signs and wonders

in the heavens and on the earth.

He has rescued Daniel

from the power of the lions.'

One Thought

Even unbelievers witnessed Daniel's devotion,

by his continual submission.

Daniel had demonstrated his faithfulness to God.

What can unbelievers determine

about your life?