Daniel 6:1-28
Daniel and the Lions’ Den
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”
6 Then these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! 7 All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”
16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.
19 Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Dear Heavey Father,
As it can be seen throughout the reading of your Word, you protect your faithful followers. Whether it can be obviouslyseen, as in the account of Daniel, I have faith that you are continually protecting us and surrounding us with your loving arms. May we always remain devoted to you and be pleasing in your sight . Hopefully one day we can all hear, “Well done my good and faithful servant “. In Jesus’name. Amen.
Good morning Lord!
What a great story about a stand up guy like Daniel who lets the world know that you are his God despite the consequences. You protect those who believe and trust in you. I must say that King Darius seems to be more of a petty tyrant than a wise ruler. He had Daniel cast into the den of lions and then, after having Daniel freed, King Darius not only punished the guilty malicious men but, he also cast their innocent wives and children into the den of lions.
There is only one KING!
Praise the LORD for his miracles. He delivered Daniel and H e will deliver us from the evil and sin of this crazy world. May the LORD bring comfort to all the suffering people with no water, power, or food. God has to a plan for HIS glory and our good.
May I be found faithful like Daniel!
Father,
You alone are holy, and mighty, and to be worshiped.
You alone can forgive and save.
Oh LORD, I am unworthy, for I am such a sinner.
I fall to my knees and ask for forgiveness.
Save me, forgive me and my house.
Oh LORD, deliver and rescue your remnant.
For you alone have the power to save.
You are my God and I worship you.
Amen
Our Lord God is faithful and true. I trust Him with all my heart and soul. He desires to have followership with all his children. He has provided everything we need by His devine power. We can claim His promises as we spend time with Him in his word and through prayer. He has called us to serve Him, and Him only, for his glory and for our good. We are loved unconditionally and are to love others in the same way. Praise be to God!
Even in his old age, Daniel’s consistent devotion and faithfulness to God never waivered, even faced with a torturous death. When God so miraculously delivered Daniel, the pagan king apparently became a believer! May I live my faith like a Daniel , fully devoted to You, Lord, serving and standing true , knowing You are with me no matter what , until You call me home.
26b ” for He is the living God, enduring forever; His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and His dominion shall be to the end.” Praise The Lord!
How we can live with confidence in God like Daniel did? Testify of God’s faithfulness and our innocence. See v22( My God has protected me and I have not wronged you). Only God can transform our tragedy into a testimony of His faithfulness.
Lord God, you are our protector in all situations. Faith in you is our sustainer. As Daniel knew there is Nothing greater than you God, great is your faithfulness…Amen!