Daniel 6:8-9 (ESV)
[8]
Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot
be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be
revoked.” [9] Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction.
The contrasts in
this chapter of Daniel are revealing. The powerful King Darius is limited by
his own law. Once the law is signed, it cannot be changed. Daniel, despite a
law that makes it illegal to pray to anyone but the King, continues to pray.
Darius is frantic. Daniel is his key man in the kingdom, yet Darius’ own law
requires him to put Daniel in the den of lions. Daniel is at peace. There seems
to be nothing that shakes Daniel throughout this entire story. Darius has a
sleepless night with great anxiety. Daniel appears focused and rested.
[21]
Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! [22] My God sent his angel
and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found
blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm” (Dan
6:21-22).
James 1:12 says,
“Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood
the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who
love him.” In a series of events that would logically lead to Daniel’s death,
Daniel prospered. Under a law that made it illegal to pray, Daniel continued to
pray. His steadfast faithfulness was rewarded.
James does not
necessarily promise that our faithfulness will be rewarded in this lifetime,
but this lifetime is not all there is. This life is simply the test, the
precursor to the real thing. For those who are believers in Jesus Christ, there
is a life experienced today in relationship to God through the indwelling
Spirit. That indwelling Spirit is a down payment on life eternal. Ephesians
1:14 says that the Holy Spirit “is the guarantee of our inheritance until we
acquire possession of it, to the praise of his glory.” 2 Corinthians 1:22 says
that God has “put his seal on us and given us his Spirit in our hearts as a
guarantee.”
Daniel did not
have that same guarantee, but he did have a knowledge of God’s Word. He knew that at Solomon’s dedication of the
temple in 1 Kings 8, Solomon prayed, in verse 48, that if God’s people were in
exile and they prayed toward Jerusalem and toward the temple, that God would
hear, forgive, and protect his people. That is exactly what Daniel was doing.
In Psalms 55:17, King David wrote, “Evening and morning and at noon I utter my
complaint and moan, and he hears my voice.” Daniel understood the Old Testament
precedent for praying three times a day. This approach to prayer was in line
with the evening and morning sacrifices required by the Law of Moses. When
Daniel prayed, he was remaining steadfast in his faith, no matter what the
consequences might be.
As our world changes and spiritual darkness seems to be gathering like dark storm clouds on the horizon, are we ready to remain steadfast in our faith? Do we know what the scriptures require of us? Like Daniel, may we be a blessing to those around us without compromising the truth of God. Like Daniel, may we remain non-anxious because we know who holds the future. Like Daniel, may we remain steadfastly faithful because we have steadfast faith in the God who holds the nations in his hands.
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