Calling and Purpose 51—Daniel Survives the Lions
[Read Calling and Purpose—Daniel and Captivity]
[Read Calling and Purpose—God Gives Daniel Wisdom and Courage]
[Read Calling and Purpose--Daniel Speaks Truth to Power]
[Read Calling and Purpose—Daniel Continues to Speak Truth to Power]
Just prior to Belshazzar’s assassination, he appoints Daniel as “the third highest ruler in the kingdom.” Now conqueror Darius the Mede is in charge. It would seem prudent for this new guy in town to dismiss or imprison or dispose of anyone from the previous administration. However, as we read in Daniel Chapter 6, “It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”
Darius either already knows about Daniel’s faithfulness over the years in the various administrations and Daniel’s trustworthiness in spite of pressure to the contrary—or he learns this information in short order--enough that Darius chooses Daniel to be one of three administrators over the kingdom—as an important layer of accountability. We learn that, here again, Daniel distinguishes himself, showing “exceptional qualities” that lead the king to desire to promote Daniel over the entire kingdom. We continue to see Daniel use his God-given gifts of administration and leadership, wisdom and discernment.
Celebrate! The right guy for the right job! Honesty! Accountability! What could be better?
Instead, Daniel’s outstanding traits breed resentment in the other leaders such that they try “to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs.” However, Daniel’s character is so deeply trustworthy, committed, and free of corruption, they are unable to find anything with which to charge him.
Unable to let it drop, these jealous leaders determine that they “will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” They go to the king and propose that he issue an enforceable and unalterable edict that anyone who prays to anyone (god or human) other than the king will be thrown into the lion’s den. The king, taken with the idea of being worshipped (narcissist?), follows this sketchy advice…not knowing nor perhaps not thinking of his servant Daniel who is also known to be a faithful worshipper of the Most High God.
Daniel—hears of this decree. Instead of scheming to find a way around it, he goes home “to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.” This tells of a regular prayer place in his home. “Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.” This tells of a regular prayer practice. Nothing changes in Daniel’s commitment to his God in spite of this practice now exposing him to punishment by death.
Daniel’s opponents catch him “praying and asking God for help.” Daniel, in the midst of this life-threatening crisis, knows that God is the One to cling to, to go to, to petition for relief and deliverance. Daniel’s enemies report back to the king “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” They make sure to mention that Daniel doesn’t belong (an exile), isn’t one of them (from Judah), doesn’t obey, and still worships his God.
Revealing how much the king values Daniel, when the king hears that Daniel has been caught, he is “greatly distressed” and “was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.” One trustworthy person, a foreigner at that, was hugely valuable to this king who had many other (mostly scheming) advisers. Daniel had earned that position due to his character, his God-given abilities, and the favor bestowed on him by God.
The king has no choice (the law was irrevocable)—and has Daniel thrown into a den of lions. His parting words to Daniel are: “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” Daniel is sealed into the cave without any recourse or repeal. As evidence of the king’s worry and concern for Daniel, the king spends a sleepless night fasting—refusing nourishment and distraction. Early in the morning, the king hurries to the den, calling out 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?’
He discovers that Daniel is alive—protected by an angel sent from God who shut the lions’ mouths. Daniel credits that deliverance to his innocence before God and the fact that “he had trusted in” Him. “Overjoyed”, the king has Daniel rescued, while punishing Daniel’s accusers by throwing them to the now ravenous lions.
The king then issues a decree that everyone in the kingdom “must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” Daniel is such an example of faith in crisis and the miracle of his deliverance so persuasive that this powerful king acknowledges Daniel’s God.
The chapter ends with this note: “Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.”
Reflect:
· What does “accountability” mean to you? Do you have accountability practices in place for yourself? Are you one who is expected to keep another accountable?
· Do you have an awareness or a growing awareness of your God-given spiritual gifts and abilities—and are you using them daily?
· “Leading up” means you influence your supervisor for good. Are you intentionally “leading up” in your sphere of influence?
· What spiritual rhythms or practices do you have in place that you return to in regular moments as well as moments of crisis and uncertainty?
· Could you be “caught” praying?
· Where do you see the hand of God, His favor, and His protection in your life?
Additional Resources:
• Downloadable Resources--See Sample List of Interest Areas; Your Spiritual Gifts—A Study Guide; Knowing Your Unique Calling and Purpose Study Guide; Whole-Life Ministry: A Form of Worship, Grace-Giving, and Living into Your Calling.
Shirley Giles Davis, author of the God. Gifts. You. Your Unique Calling and Design workbook, Your Unique Design Class Guide, Your Unique Design Facilitator Guide, and Gifts-Calling-Purpose blog, is a consultant, coach, facilitator who has worked with faith-based organizations, nonprofit agencies, and leaders in a diversity of fields for over 30 years. She has also been Equipping Ministries Director at her church since 1999.
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© Drawing by Shirley Giles Davis, all rights reserved.