Daniel

Daniel 6:20

When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”

I’m sure Daniel was expected to be like the other boys when he was told to learn the language and literature of the Babylonians. He used wisdom when he asked to be allowed to be on a veggie diet instead of the rich food the others were eating. God saw that Daniel set himself apart from the rest and continued to devote himself to God, so he gave him special knowledge and understanding. When God helped Daniel solve the puzzle of Nebuchadnezzar’s dreams, Daniel didn’t take all the credit for himself. Daniel (2:28) explained, “there is a God in heaven who reveals mysteries.” After Daniel solved the mystery of Nebuchadnezzar’s dream and told the interpretation, the king was in awe, not just because of Daniel, but because of Daniel’s God. In Daniel 2:47, he said, “Surely your God is the God of gods and the Lord of kings and a revealer of mysteries, for you were able to reveal this mystery.”

For years, Daniel’s co-workers had to listen to words of praise for Daniel’s wisdom and integrity. After a while, they became so tired of it that they looked for a way to get him charged with a crime. They searched, but they couldn’t find any corruption nor any negligence. So they set him up. While Darius was king, they suggested that anyone who prayed to any god or human except King Darius would be thrown to the lions. Darius liked Daniel and realized that he’d been set up, so he told him (Daniel 6:16), “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”

How nice it would be to have people think of us as people who continually serve God. That’s what the king said a few times about Daniel. Of course, Daniel was rescued. And then Darius made sure that the men who had set up Daniel’s capture were thrown to the lions.

It takes a strong man to stand up for what he believes when all around him are cowering and submitting to whatever new law is announced. All through Daniel’s life, he showed that his strength came from his relationship with the God in heaven who reveals mysteries.

You and I may never be thrown into the lions’ den, but we have a different challenge. Will we be as faithful to God in our comfortable circumstances as Daniel was in his life-threatening circumstances?

Won’t you seek God with me?