The book of Daniel tells of an amazing story of God’s faithfulness and omnipotent intervention. In chapter 6, we have the well known story of Daniel and the Lion’s Den. What an amazing faith was shown by Daniel to trust in God enough to risk such a grueling death. How, you may wonder, could Daniel have such courage and trust? Daniel could trust such circumstances to God because he had seen and relied on the faithfulness of God many times before.
In the early chapters of Daniel we see that he was chosen out of the Israelites for a privileged position to be taught the language and knowledge of the Chaldeans and to be suitable to stand before the king. Daniel showed incredible determination from the beginning to honor God even in the midst of a people who did not serve God. He convinced the eunuch in charge of his care to let him eat a diet approved by God even though the eunuch faced harsh punishment or even death if Daniel’s health suffered because of it. . “Now God had brought Daniel into favour and tender love with the prince of the eunuchs.” (1:9). Already we see God at work to take care of Daniel. “As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.” (1:17) God equipped Daniel with the resources he needed to do well in his unique position of influence.
Daniel’s life was threatened when King Nebuchadnezzar decided to have all of his scholars killed when his advisors couldn’t tell him about a dream he had. Daniel sought God for knowledge and God revealed not only what the king had dreamed but also the interpretation. And Daniel knew that God had been faithful and saved his life and the lives of all the scholars.
“He revealeth the deep and secret things: he knoweth what is in the darkness, and the light dwelleth with him. I thank thee, and praise thee, O thou God of my fathers, who hast given me wisdom and might, and hast made known unto me now what we desired of thee: for thou hast now made known unto us the king's matter.” (2:22-23)
Daniel then got to see God save his fellow Israelites. This is another well known story. “Then Daniel requested of the king, and he set Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed–nego, over the affairs of the province of Babylon: but Daniel sat in the gate of the king.” (2:49) When these 3 men refused to worship the king’s idol they were thrown into a fiery furnace that was so hot it killed the men attending it. But, miraculously these 3 men were not consumed by the fire.
Daniel continued to interpret other dreams and even the mysterious “writing on the wall” that appeared when King Belshazzar disrespected God by drinking from the Holy vessels taken out of God’s temple. Belshazzar died and his kingdom was divided by the Medes and Persians. God gave Daniel great favor with King Darius of the Medes but it also caused Daniel to become a target of scandal and manipulation. “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” (6:3).
To get rid of Daniel the princes talked Darius into signing a decree to have any person who petitioned a god or anyone other than the king for 30 days to be thrown into a den of hungry lions. Daniel, knowing whom his complete trust was in, did not comply with the decree. He boldly, and in plain sight continued in his prayers to God. “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (6:10)
Of course, the King who cared about Daniel tried all he could to reverse the decree but legally could not. Interestingly, he also gives bold declaration about the power and faithfulness of Daniel’s God. “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.”(6:16). Wow! God’s faithfulness to Daniel made a believer out of Darius even before he saw with his own eyes the following morning that Daniel was untouched by the ravenous lions.
As God shows his faithfulness to us, our trust becomes increasingly strengthened. The same God that performed all of these amazing feats in the book of Daniel wants to empower your life too. Sometimes, it may seem that we find ourselves in difficult circumstances where we have to choose if we will honor God or cower to the demands and pressures of others. It helps to be reminded of how faithful God was throughout the Bible to those who put their trust in him. I challenge you to look for God’s faithfulness in the midst of your own circumstances as well.
“Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)”(Hebrews 10:23 )