Daniel in the Lion’s Den: Daniel 6

Darius was the king of Babylon. Darius chose men to help him and Daniel was the leader of that group of men. Darius preferred Daniel because of the excellent spirit that was in him. The other men did not like Daniel and did not want him to be their leader. These men knew that Daniel was a religious man and prayed to God and went to the King and asked for a new decree or law. This new law stated that people could not pray to God and if people were found praying they would be throw into the lion’s den.

Daniel did not let this shake his faith, he kept praying, three times a day. The wicked men went to the king and told him that they saw Daniel praying. The king knew the law, which said that Daniel had to be thrown in the lion’s den. The king tried to think of a way to save Daniel from this but the law could not be changed. Daniel was then thrown into the lion’s den, but before he was thrown in the king, Darius, told Daniel that God would save him.

The king fasted all night and did not sleep. In the morning when the king went to the lion’s den he called out to Daniel and Daniel answered and said that the lion’s did not hurt him. Daniel said Daniel 6:22, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me…” The king rejoiced because Daniel was not hurt.

There were many indications that King Darius had faith in the Lord. You can tell at the first of the chapter or story that Darius is fond of David and I think part of that was because of his faith in the Lord. We also see that when Daniel is found praying that Darius tries to find a way around the law. Then when Daniel is in the den Darius prays and fasts for his friend. These are the things that show that King Darius had faith in the Lord.

We learn in Daniel 6:3 that Darius preferred Daniel because of the excellent spirit that was in Daniel. We can learn a lot from this. People recognize the people we are. If we have a good spirit, people know that and they see that. People are often drawn to those who have the spirit constantly with them and it is no wonder why. These are the people we want in our lives and we should have in our lives. I hope that I can be one of those people and am constantly striving towards that.

When the decree/ law was made know unto Daniel he went to “his house and with his windows being open… he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime” (Daniel 6:10).  This must have taken a lot of courage, strength and faith. He stood for what he knew was right. He stood up for the Lord when some would have been scared. In all this, he prayed with his windows open. He didn’t do this in private. We shouldn’t praise the Lord only in private. We should always live the gospel and our faith, no matter what we believe.

We can learn a lot from this story of Daniel and his example, I know that I have. What have you learned from this story? How will you let this story influence you to be better?  I urge you to go to Daniel chapter 6 and read or re-read the story of Daniel and the lion’s den.