Daniel gave Belshazzar the prophecy of his kingdom’s annihilation. While the king clothed Daniel in purple, put a gold chain around his neck, and promoted him to the third highest ruler of Babylon, Darius and his Medo-Persian army dammed up and diverted the underground water supply to Babylon. That night they crawled through the emptied canals and easily overthrew Belshazzar and the nation.

Darius set up a new government. Chief among the leaders was a Jewish slave who had been promoted to the third highest ruler of the old monarchy. In order not to “suffer loss” (v. 2), Darius declared that the 120 governing satraps would report to three administrators, and Daniel kept his old job.

Sterling Character
Daniel’s sterling character is revealed time after time. He “distinguished himself . . . by his exceptional qualities” (v. 3) so much that the king planned to elevate him to rule over the whole kingdom. Can you imagine the seething jealousy of the other satraps? This JEWISH SLAVE had once again been promoted over them. They called out the dogs and dug for dirt, but “could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent” (v. 4). His only “weakness” was God.

Their plan was simple: they pandered to the king’s ego, established a law criminalizing prayer to any other deity but the king, set up the lion’s den as punishment, and Darius put it in writing. Medo-Persian law dictated that once written, there was no repeal. Darius didn’t have enough history with Daniel to know what the fallout would be, but was distressed when Daniel, “just as he had done before” (v. 10), prayed on his knees with his windows open toward Jerusalem, unhidden, unashamed, and unafraid.

Sealed with a Stone
Darius made every effort to save him, but law made it impossible. They threw Daniel in the den. Darius was there to seal the stone they placed over it. Darius called out reassuringly, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (v. 16), then went back to the palace to endure a sleepless, tormented night. At the crack of dawn, Darius “hurried” to the lion’s den and in an anguished voice called to his friend.

Can you see Darius’s face as Daniel shouted back? His first words were to the king who put him there, “Oh king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king” (vv. 21, 22).

Daniel, without a scratch, was lifted from the den. Then Darius threw in the accusers, along with their wives and children, who didn’t even hit the floor before the lions overpowered them.

Lessons from the Lord of the Lions
What are the lessons of the lions? Daniel’s crimes were excellence, faithfulness, purity, integrity, and diligence. But Daniel’s humility, along with his obvious gifts, continually found him favor with those in authority. His submission earned him power and wealth, but no matter his circumstance he prayed: mightily, faithfully, humbly, and unselfishly. He never compromised commitment to God.

We can also learn from what we don’t find. He wasn’t rebellious. He didn’t sabotage the government or incite protest. He didn’t go underground with his faith or cover windows to pray. He wasn’t proud or disrespectful, but was submissive to authority. He outlasted three kings! He didn’t expect to keep his wealth and power, but continually laid it on the line for God. Most importantly, Daniel credited God alone for his wisdom and intellect. His enemies couldn’t indict him on grounds of neglect or oversight. Daniel didn’t pray for his own advancement or his own deliverance, but diligently prayed for God’s power to be revealed and for his nation’s restoration to Israel. Daniel lived a godly life, and had no fear of lions.

Never before has the book of Daniel been more relevant. I’m sure he never dreamed his example would so boldly influence distant generations. How many of our loved ones are in the lion’s den in Iraq? How many servicemen patrolling the streets of Baghdad walk where Daniel walked? Or pray where Daniel prayed? Their lion’s den is full of Al-Qaida insurgents and IEDs. Are we raising up Daniels now?

What is our lion’s den here? Has someone misjudged our motives? Is our boss pressuring us to be unethical at work? Has material success destroyed our spiritual life? Are we facing persecution for doing things God’s way?

God’s deliverance doesn’t depend on our perfection. We rely only on Jesus’ blood for forgiveness and grace. His power is undiminished. Diligent, selfless prayer taps his power to change lives, overpower kings, overcome evil, and change history. Praise to the Lord of the lions!

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* All Scripture quotations are from the New International Version, unless otherwise indicated.