810_As he had done previously (Daniel 6)
Daniel 6: 1-5 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; 2 and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”
Vs. 10-13 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. 12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
Daniel had followed the same pious routine for many years. Every day, morning, afternoon, and evening, he prayed to his God. Through seasons of joy and sorrow, success and disappointment, this practice remained unchanged. Then one day, a law was passed, making this habit punishable by death. What would he do? Would he abandon his habit to protect himself, or continue to walk with God, whatever the consequences?
By the time of Daniel 6, he had lived through the rise and fall of kings and witnessed the collapse of the Babylonian Empire. Now, under the rule of Darius the Mede, he had distinguished himself among the officials of the kingdom. With his excellent spirit, he had earned the king’s approval and trust. The king intended to appoint him over the entire kingdom. His integrity and competence made him stand out, but they also aroused the jealousy of his fellow officials.
However, they could find no grounds for accusing Daniel concerning his work. He was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him. Finally, they concluded that the only way to bring him down would be to find something against him concerning the law of his God. What a remarkable testimony! His enemies could find no fault in his professional life, so they targeted his devotion to God.
Having devised their plan, these officials persuaded King Darius to issue a decree that for thirty days no one could pray to any god or man except the king. Anyone who disobeyed would be thrown into the lions’ den. Once the decree was signed, Daniel faced a serious choice. He could temporarily suspend his prayers, reasoning that God would understand the circumstances. Or he could pray secretly, hoping nobody would find out. He had reasons to not put himself at risk. He held an important position through God’s favor, and might himself offer some protection to his people.
But Daniel 6:10 reports: “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”
Notice those final words: “as he had done previously.” His prayers did not arise out of crisis. He did not become a man of prayer when he needed a miracle. He simply prayed because it was as much a part of his life as breathing. The decree did not create his devotion, and the threat of death did not extinguish it.
Daniel’s faithfulness during the crisis was the fruit of his consistent walk with God over many years. His relationship with God did not require things to go smoothly. His prayer life was not an emergency measure; it was the rhythm of his life. When everything around him changed, his devotion remained the same.
Moreover, notice that Daniel continued to pray with thanksgiving. Despite understanding the danger, he accepted the situation from God, not man, and continued to give thanks. He knew that whatever the outcome, God was good and faithful to his word. His gratitude did not wait until he knew whether he would escape the lions’ den. He thanked God for present mercies, while the immediate threat was still real. Such prayer does not deny danger; it counts God greater than danger.
Daniel’s response also teaches us something about courage. He did not protest against the decree. Neither did he make a public spectacle of his defiance. He simply continued doing what he had always done. His faithfulness was quiet, consistent, and unmistakable. He was not trying to provoke his enemies, but neither would he allow their threats to make him unfaithful to God.
Eventually, the officials found Daniel praying and brought their accusation before the king. Darius realized that he had been manipulated and became deeply distressed. He tried to find a way to rescue Daniel, but the decree could not be revoked. Reluctantly, he ordered Daniel to be thrown into the lions’ den. Yet even as Daniel was taken away, the king cried out: “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” (Daniel 6:16).
The king understood the unshakable faith of Daniel towards his God. Daniel’s consistent service over decades, first under the kings of Babylon and now under the Persian ruler, testified to the genuineness of his relationship with God. His life had become a testimony to the reality of God. His faith was not confined to private religious feelings; it was visible in his conduct and his daily choices.
Daniel was shut into the lions’ den, with a stone laid over its entrance. The king returned to his palace, to spend the night sleepless, in great trouble of heart. Yet Daniel’s God was not confined by the king’s decree, the sealed stone, or the power of the lions. Early the next morning, Darius hurried to the den and called out anxiously, hoping against hope that Daniel was alive. Daniel answered that God had sent His angel to protect him because of his blamelessness before his God.
Daniel’s deliverance brought glory to God. The very plot intended to destroy him and silence his testimony became an occasion for the king to proclaim the greatness and sovereignty of Daniel’s God. In Daniel 6:26, Darius ordered all his subjects to tremble and fear before the living God, whose kingdom endures forever.
This does not mean that we will always be rescued from danger. Millions of God’s people have suffered and died for his name’s sake. Prayer does not always prevent suffering. However, Daniel’s example reminds us that we must remain faithful to God simply because he deserves it, and not because we expect him to deliver us.
When we face pressures, even today, that push God to the margins of our lives, or tempt us to deny our devotion to him, let us be like Daniel. Work, family responsibilities, financial concerns, public opinion, or the fear of rejection can lead us to move away from our duty to him. Sometimes comfort and success puff us up and make us less dependent on God.
Like Daniel, let us serve God just because he is God. Let us build on the foundation of faith and obedience to his word. Let us pursue habits of daily prayer, reading and thinking about the scriptures, understanding them, and keeping them. Let us be constantly thankful to God no matter what.
Then we will stand firm when our faith is tested. We cannot expect a strong prayer life to appear suddenly when trouble comes. But if our heart seeks God consistently under ordinary circumstances, we will be prepared for extraordinary challenges.
And then our walk with God, born out of our unconscious devotion to him, will testify to others. Whether or not they understand our beliefs or agree with our convictions, they will see that following God makes us people of integrity, diligence, courage, gratitude, and faithfulness. Our light will shine before them so that they may glorify our Father in heaven (Matthew 5:16).
The question is not whether we pray when we are in trouble, but whether we love God. If so, we will continue to love him even when life becomes busy, comfortable, or threatening. Let us learn from Daniel to seek God always with thankfulness, and obey him rather than being ruled by fear. Let our testimony be like Daniel’s. In times of trouble, let us continue to trust and serve the Lord, as we did previously. God bless.
Take a few moments to reflect on these questions
What does Daniel’s habit of praying “as he had done previously” teach us about preparing spiritually for unexpected trials?
Why do you think Daniel continued to give thanks even when he knew that praying could cost him his life, and what can we learn from his attitude?
How can you cultivate a consistent walk with God amid your daily responsibilities and pressures, so that your faith becomes a testimony to others?
Let us pray
Heavenly Father, thank You for recording Daniel’s experience. I understand how important it is for me to walk with you constantly. Show me where I am controlled by fear, busyness, or trouble, giving up my devotion to you. I will seek you faithfully, I will give thanks and pray even in difficulty, and obey you alone whatever the cost. I will trust your wisdom, love, and power over all else. Let my life show others your greatness and your faithfulness. In Jesus Christ’s name, Amen.
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