Introduction
Life has a way of pressing us to the breaking point. The pressure builds at work, conflict stirs at home, and worries about the future gnaw at our hearts. In those moments, where do we turn? Do we run to our comforts, lean on people we trust, or place our hope in money and family? As good as those things might seem, they cannot bring us ultimate comfort. Only God, who reigns on His throne, has the power to rescue and redeem.
Today, we come to one of the most well-known stories in the Bible. It’s the story almost everyone remembers when they hear the name “Daniel.” For Israel, whose kingdom had been torn down, this story reminded them that God was still with His people in exile. Though their plans had crumbled, God remained active and reigning. Their calling was simple yet difficult: to remain loyal and trust in Him.
As a church, we live and pray faithfully in our communities, trusting that God is in control over all worldly powers.
When We are Faithful, the Enemy Still Comes 6:1-9
We saw last week that Belshazzar was killed and a new kingdom had been set up. Darius now sat on the throne. The first thing he did was to set up a system of administrators. These were men responsible for auditing the finances of the kingdom. This was a wise strategy to manage the newly acquired territories. He delegated power to those already familiar with the area.
Daniel, because the spirit God gave Him, was quickly put in charge of this bureaucracy (system of government). He was a man of integrity. He glorified God through the way he lived his life and did his business.
There is a lesson here. In our Babylon, may we be a people of integrity. We must honor God with the way we live our lives, conduct our friendships, behave in school, and the way we work. People should be able to see that we are different. We don’t serve the idols of popularity, power, or prosperity. We worship another. We are children and worshipers of the King.
Daniel’s enemies quickly arose. They tried to find fault with Daniel so that he would be removed from office. This was likely caused by political rivalry. They wanted the power for themselves. So they sought to catch him in corruption or negligence. They could not. He doesn’t walk the same road they do. They are frustrated and have to get creative to catch Daniel.
The only way they can trap him is to pit the new king against Daniel’s God. They knew that when faced with a choice between God and the nation, Daniel would choose God. So they laid a trap for Daniel. The king, unaware of the situation, was tricked into signing a law stating he was their intermediary to the gods for 30 days.
For Darius, this would be a good way to solidify power and loyalty for the new territories. He signed it, and the trap is set. Now the tension in the text starts to build. There is a trap and a challenge for Daniel. What will he do? We know he is faithful to God. How will that impact this story?
We want to stop here and consider the reality that, though Daniel was faithful to God throughout his life, he still faced hardships. He still had enemies. Sometimes, like in chapter 3, his faithfulness to God put him and his friends in direct conflict with the current powers. Such a clash is common for faithful people.
As a church, in our “Babylon,” we are called to be faithful to God. However, that doesn’t mean that our lives won’t be difficult. Because of our faith, we will have enemies such as sin and worldly systems. The world doesn’t sit idly by while we worship. Sometimes, it is our faith that directly puts us in conflict with our non-believing friends, family, and coworkers. We don’t seek to be faithful to escape trials, but we are faithful during trials.
Jesus told His disciples that he was sending them out as sheep among the wolves. He knew that as He sent them out, they would be hated. In John 16:33, Jesus said that as we live faithfully for Him, we will have troubles in this life. He doesn’t stop there, though. He said that we can take heart, for He has overcome the world. Jesus sits on the throne over all our trials and all our enemies. He sits over all political powers. One day, all the struggles, enemies, and politicians will bow before Him. Let this hope drive our faithfulness.
When we are faithful, we bow our knees in worship to the true King. When we refuse to compromise our beliefs, we praise the one who sits above our bosses and world leaders. So, Beloved, even as it is difficult, you are not alone; Daniel and saints throughout the ages stand with us. Jesus walks beside us. Remember, He is the King who stepped into suffering to bring us to Him. He identifies with our pain. Hold on to our faithful living even as the world rages. When it does, like Daniel, pray.
Prayer is our Companion in Good Times and Bad
6:10-15
Daniel finds out about the trap. He could have resumed prayer after the edict passed. However, for Daniel, this was a question of worship. Prayer was his time of worship. If God is truly King above all Kings, then prayer is the only option. So he goes to his house and prays.
Daniel’s enemies knew he would pray. It was his habit (v10). Daniel doesn’t pray defiantly to make a scene. He doesn’t hide it either. His posture shows humility in seeking the true King. His open windows toward Jerusalem show he knows God’s throne (Temple) is the true seat of power, not Babylon or Persia. His words were thankful. He knew, no matter what happens, God is good.
Let us have habits of prayer. We must be a people of prayer. It must not be a tool for only bad days. This is why most of us find it awkward to pray because it is foreign to us. Instead, like Daniel, may we say, “It is our habit.” I know life is busy and crowded. It was for Daniel. We must make time to pray. It should be like breathing for us.
I have points in my day to pray. I pray while I brush my teeth or drink my coffee. I pray on my way to work. Find a quiet space and pray, out loud or in your head. This way, prayer becomes a natural habit. So in the day of trouble, it is not awkward, but the most natural reaction we can have. Prayer should be like a reflex for us. Don’t wait until the storm to find your umbrella.
Now, let us notice how the king was displeased with the satraps because he liked Daniel. Daniel had the favor of the king, but Daniel’s hope was not in Darius to rescue him. His hope was in God who sat above Darius. Will see that, despite the king's efforts, he cannot rescue Daniel. Only God can and would do that.
Our Ultimate Hope is in God
6:16-18
I love that King Darius tried to rescue Daniel. Daniel had favor in high places. However, Daniel’s hope was still in God. Beloved, we may find favor with important people. That doesn’t protect you from the enemy or trouble. Even the most powerful people will fall short of deliverance.
Let our deepest hope be found in Christ. The powerful King Darius is powerless to rescue Daniel. Let us hope in the one who will never fail, the King who conquered death! Worldly favor can be good, but it can never ultimately deliver.
The tension in the text draws our hearts and eyes to our lives. We are tested and pressured. We have an enemy seeking to tempt us away from our true king. We try to find hope in finances, education, medicine, and other people. However, we will always find these things, good as they are, lacking. Instead, let us look to the one who broke the seal of the tomb. Let us look to the one who made the cross His throne. The one whose death and resurrection dethroned the kings of sin and shame, ending their rule in our lives. Let us see His throne above any other throne, worldly or spiritual.
I also want to point out some parallels here. Daniel is thrown into the lion's den. A stone is rolled over the entrance and sealed with the king’s ring. Sound familiar? It should. Jesus was laid in the tomb. A stone rolled and sealed by the governor. The seal was a symbol of power. In both cases, there is a greater power that breaks the seal. The early church saw the connection to Jesus here, so should we.
Darius expressed hope that Daniel’s God would rescue him. What a humble admission for a mighty king. Tricked into this situation, he affirms that Daniel’s God is the only one who can save him. The stage is set. Will the trickery and power of the enemy triumph over Daniel, or will, as the king said, Daniel’s God rescue him?
God’s Deliverance and Judgment
6:19-28
The king’s long night of anguish is contrasted with Daniel’s. The king fasted, and so did the lions. The king did not sleep; it seems Daniel did. He runs to the den, and Daniel calmly waits.
Early in the morning, the king rushed to the lion’s den to find out Daniel’s fate. Did God rescue him? Yes, Daniel is found unharmed, “for he trusted in his God.” The king was overjoyed because Daniel was safe and God had the power to deliver.
I want you to see the parallels between Daniel and Jesus. Just as the king rushed early in the morning to see if God rescued Daniel, women would run to Jesus’ tomb early in the morning. The women discovered that Jesus had power over death. The main idea screams from the text: God has power over lions and death. Our God reigns; He truly reigns. These are not just words; they are the truth! They are reality. So see in this text the throne of God above the throne of man.
(v. 21) Daniel finally speaks for the first time in the text. God sent an angel. Daniel wasn’t lucky, nor did he survive based on anything he did. It was by God’s power that Daniel was unharmed. For the Persian world, the lion’s den was a sign of judgment. If you were guilty, they would eat you; if you were innocent, they would leave you alone. But in this story, it is not the lions that pronounce judgment on Daniel, but God. God proclaimed Daniel innocent because Daniel was faithful.
Earthly powers will not judge us. Beloved, we will be judged by God’s hand. And the blood of Jesus declares us innocent. We are given His innocence before the Father. Praise be to God that He not only shut the lion’s mouth, but He has silenced the grave and rendered it powerless! Therefore, let us faithfully worship and praise the King.
Those who tricked the king were thrown into the den. Unlike Daniel, they were devoured instantly. We may have some trouble with the fact that the wives and children were also thrown in. The Persian laws dictated as much. For Israel, this was God’s promise to judge those who committed injustice. For the church, it is a reminder that God will judge our enemies. Injustice will cease at the throne of our God. He is in full control even though the world seems out of control.
(26-27) The story ends with Darius proclaiming God’s greatness to every tribe, tongue, and nation. Remember, Israel was meant to show God’s glory to the nations. They failed to do so. However, even in exile and under a pagan king, God is being glorified. Though Daniel was trapped, God saved him and crushed his enemies. Therefore, we end with a proclamation to the nations that Israel was meant to make. Yet here it is, Darius.
Beloved, even though we may fail, God will be glorified. We don’t need to worry if we, in our failure, hindered God’s glory. He is on the throne and will bring glory. We get the joy of being a part of bringing God glory. Even in our trials, God will be glorified. There is no sin, no earthly power, and no amount of shame that can defeat our King. So, our faithfulness is about being a part of God’s victory. Let us join in that victory by being faithful and hoping in the Kingdom to come.
Let this great hope drive us to live faithful lives in our community. We can trust that God will ultimately deliver us from every arrow of the enemy. Yes, they may sting. But God will deliver us from death. His throne is already reigning above sin and death.
Conclusion
We are not home yet. Our true home is with the King who reigns forever. Until that day, we live as exiles in this world, faithful, prayerful, and steadfast. Daniel shows us what that looks like: integrity that cannot be shaken, prayer that cannot be silenced, and trust in a God who cannot be defeated.
Beloved, let us be a people who pray as naturally as breathing. Let us be a church whose faithfulness points our neighbors beyond every earthly throne to the throne of Christ. The world will try to lure us away, enemies will rise, and trials will come. But none of these have the final word. The cross and empty tomb declare that our deliverance is already secure.
So, take courage. Worship boldly. Pray faithfully. Live with hope. And let the proclamation of a pagan king be the proclamation of our lives: our God endures, He rescues, He saves, and His Kingdom will never be destroyed.
“Father, You are the living God! You endure forever. Your Kingdom will never be destroyed. Your power and reign know no end. You rescue and deliver us from sin, shame, and death. You have made us a family. Let us pray often, be faithful no matter what, and bring you glory as we faithfully live in our Babylon, Amen.”