DANIEL IN THE LIONS' DEN

Daniel 6:1-28

Intro.

A. The great stories of the Bible never grow old. They still thrill the hearts of all who hear them. In this lesson we want to consider one such story: Daniel in the lions' den.

B. Although a captive and serving under several different rulers, some of whom were antagonistic toward each other, Daniel was always faithful and commanded the respect of all the emperors.

Verse 1-3
A new regime recognized Daniel's God-given qualities.

Satraps: provincial governors. Suffer no loss: Through rebellion or financial corruption--so that all the revenues which were due the king would be fully accounted for.

Daniel was working with those who did not believe in God. Thus, he attracted the attention of the pagan king and earned a place of respect. One of the best ways to influence non-Christian employers is to work diligently and responsibly.

Proverbs 22:29; Rom 12:11 - "diligent" describes a person who is "quick, prompt, ready, skilled."

Verse 4-5
Aroused by envy, the satraps and other presidents set about to destroy Daniel. (Prov. 27:4) A marvelous commendation--Daniel performed his official duties blamelessly without error or fault. Would that our enemies could say the same about all of God's people.

Daniel made enemies at work by doing a good job. Perhaps you have had a similar experience. When you begin to excel, you will find that coworkers may look for ways to hold you back and tear you down. How should you deal with those who would cheer at your downfall and even try to hasten it? Conduct your whole life above reproach. Then you will have nothing to hide, and your enemies will have a difficult time finding legitimate charges against you. Of course, this will not always save you from attacks, and like Daniel, you will have to rely on God for protection.

The jealous officials couldn't find anything about Daniel's life to criticize, so they attacked his religion. If you face jealous critics because of your faith, be glad they're criticizing that part of your life - perhaps they had to focus on your religion as a last resort. They are no longer opposing you, but they are also opposing God. Respond by continuing to believe and live as you should.

Verses 6-9
Darius was an effective government administrator, but he had a fatal flaw - pride. By appealing to his vanity, the men talked Darius into signing a law effectively making himself a god for 30 days. He considered the drafting of the statute as an honor to him, preferred by his presidents, princes, and counselors, not realizing the grief and heartache it would bring to him.

These evil rulers said, "All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to..." This is an old trick that is used even today in politics. For example, "The American people won't stand for this; the American people want to know the facts." Also, this same tactic has often been used in the church. "The whole church feels this way" sometimes means only three or four.

Verses 10
God's people, during the O.T. times, were taught to pray with their faces toward the temple in Jerusalem (1 Kings 8:44-50; Psalm 121:1,2).

One of Scripture's outstanding examples of courageous obedience is now presented. When a purely human ordinance was intended to regulate his relationship with his heavenly Father, Daniel resolved to keep his conscience clear by continuing to do that which he believed to be right. He refused to compromise his convictions.

Such trials as Daniel endured often come upon faithful Christians. We will find ourselves in opposition to the opinions of the majority. If we silence the voice of conscience, we demonstrate our unworthiness. Unless one's life is governed by principle, rather than by a desire please the opposition, one is in grave danger of yielding to sin in this respect. Daniel had served God to long for such a thing to happen to him.

Daniel had a disciplined prayer life. Our prayers are usually interrupted, not by threats but simply by the pressure of our schedules. We shouldn't let threats or pressures cut into our prayer time. Let us pray regularly, no matter what, for prayer is our lifeline to God.

Verses 11-14
The king realized that he himself had been trapped by men who were trying to destroy his most trusted servant. He recognized their trick and his own folly, and he was greatly displeased with himself.

The accusers had hoped, of course, that the king would be angry against Daniel for defying his decree; but Darius knew Daniel too well for this. It was not for nothing that he had thought to elevate Daniel, and his reaction, therefore, was to the detriment of these men, not of Daniel.

Darius, however, did not give up without an effort to save Daniel, the record says, "he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him." And even after the king had failed to save his trusted friend, he still clung to the hope that Daniel's God could and would protect His servant.

It can easily be seen that the enemies of Daniel had neither admiration nor respect for king Darius; for they did not hesitate to employ a strategy which forced the king, against his will, to do their bidding.

Verses 15-17
Darius did not say, "Your God is able to deliver you," or, "if it is God's will, He will deliver you." But he emphatically said, "God will deliver you." A remarkable statement of faith, especially from a heathen king. He cherished the hope, it seems, that Daniel's God would do for him what he himself could not do.

Here is an amazing thing--a king trying to console the one whom he had just sentenced to death.

Verses 18-20
The king was under great conviction that he had done very dishonorably and cruelly, by hearkening to the counsel of his wicked conspirators. He regretted so much what had happened. He did not wish to lose such a valuable officer as Daniel, and he felt guilty for the unwitting part he had played in the matter.

He asked, "Has your God, whom you serve continually been able to deliver you..." Yes, our God is able. He is more than able to deliver his servants today.

The fact that Darius even thought such a deliverance possible shows how high a respect he had gained for Daniel's God. As all of God's faithful children do for others, Daniel had taught and influenced this man for good.

Certainly, this was a remarkable situation: a king, early in the morning, calling down into a den of lions, to which he had sentenced a man, asking if the man's God had somehow been able to save him and hoping that it was true!

Verses 21-23
Daniel probably had slept better that night in the lion's den than the king in his royal bedroom. (Ex. Peter, Acts 12:1-6). God had shut the mouths of the great beasts so that they had not hurt him. Daniel's response to the king's question must have given great relief to the worried ruler. Daniel pleads the innocence of his cause to the king. He had suffered unjustly.

The secret of Daniel's success is expressed in the words, "Because he believed in his God."

Verse 24
The king was not willing to let things drop with the deliverance of Daniel from the lions' den; he felt that those who had conspired against the prophet, in such a selfish and inhuman way in order to profit from his death, should undergo the same punishment. This is an impressive illustration of the truth that people shall reap what they sow (Gal. 6:7-8).

The God Daniel served was certainly more powerful than the God they served.

It is true that wicked men not only harm themselves, but also bring sorrow, heartache, and sometimes death to their families; e.g., the family of David Cherish.

Critics of the Bible miracles have suggested that the reason the lions did not devour Daniel was because the king had previously filled their den with choice meats and they were so gorged that they were not hungry when Daniel was cast in among them; but these critics fail to explain why the lions so quickly devoured the wicked men and their families.

Verses 25-27
It is evident that Darius had learned this doctrine from Daniel, whom he heard and honored, and was more convinced of it by this miraculous deliverance of Daniel from the lions.

Darius gave five reasons that all should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:

because this God is the living God;
because He is steadfast forever (that is, He endures forever);
because His kingdom will not be destroyed (meaning that it, too, will remain forever);
because He delivers and rescues, as He had just done in delivering Daniel from the power of the lions.
and because He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.

Certainly all this suggests some change of heart on his part toward the One True God. We hope that it was genuine and that the decrees issued encouraged others to follow his lead.

Concl.
The force of the statement is that, whereas Daniel's accusers all died in the lions's den, Daniel, who had remained true to God, continued to live and prosper. He probably, in fact, received the advanced position that was planned for him by Darius, with new appointees made to serve under him. It testifies once more of God's blessings to those who are faithful to Him.

Although Daniel was a captive in a strange land, he was truly devoted and faithful to God. If we find ourselves in new surroundings, let us remain true to our God. Things will always be well with us when we serve God. God is still able to do exceeding abundantly above all that we ask or think.