Daniel

Good Morning,

Most of us are familiar with the story of Daniel in the lion’s den. The story is found in Daniel chapter 6. Many wonderful lessons are found in this chapter, but I would like to point out just a few. You may want to read through chapter 6 as you look at these points regarding Daniel and his circumstances:

1. Daniel did right without question, yet men still tried to destroy him. Just because you are doing right does not mean everyone will like it. The story does not say Daniel was a bad boss. There are no instances of Daniel’s injustice in dealing with these men. The simple fact was that they did not like Daniel being the one in charge.

Daniel 6:4 “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.”

vs. 5 “Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”

2. Daniel was in a position of authority. Others were placed under him, and as is human nature, people tend to want authority; and if need be, they will destroy their authorities to have the position themselves.

3. Leaders do not always make the right decisions. Leaders are sinful humans, and, at times, our leaders’ mistakes will hurt us. Remember, God is not dead. The flattering princes under the authority of Daniel came to the king and asked him to make a law that no one be able to pray to any God or man except to the king. Human arrogance and the love of attention brought the king to make a foolish choice. Daniel was going to be thrown into the lion’s den.

vs. 7 “All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.”

4. Just because your leaders make a foolish decision does not mean they do not love you and that they do not regret the horrible choice they made. At times, the decision involves unwise spending, but at other times the situation may involve the use of liquor or drugs or a failure to care for some detail in life; but remember, we are all sinful. People who sincerely love can make decisions that say they do not love you. Keep believing in people.

vs. 18 “Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.”

The king spent the night in fasting with a broken heart for the wrong he had done and the harm he had caused Daniel because he cared for him. The king truly did care.

5. God was not absent. Those circumstances were dire, yet there was still a God in Heaven Who cared for Daniel. God knew Daniel’s situation was going to glorify His Name through the difficulties that Daniel was facing. God delivered Daniel from the lions.

6. The Bible says much about forgiveness and mercy, but it also says "vengeance is mine, I will repay saith the Lord.” Daniel did not need to get even with those with men; God moved on the heart of the king, and the king took care of Daniel's enemies.

vs. 24 “And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.”

We, too, can trust God when evil men seek to hurt us and when foolish leaders fail to defend us.

Psalm 46:1 “...God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble…”

Psalm 20:7 “Some trust in chariots, and some in horses: but we will remember the name of the LORD our God.”

7. The sorrows and difficulties that the Old Testament saints dealt with are wonderful lessons and reminders to each one of us today. May we be reminded that our sorrows and difficulties are modern-day lessons from which others may watch and learn. We must trust in the Lord with all of our heart; may we continue to do right when situations go wrong, believing God will be glorified and other believers will be instructed.

Pastor