“Now Daniel so distinguished himself … that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.” (v.3)
Clearly, King Darius caught on to Daniel's value, appointing him as one of three rulers over all his other administrators and even eyeing him for a position over the entire kingdom (v. 3). Daniel wasn't just a great man of faith; he was an all-around great man. He had always stood out from the other wise men in the kingdom, and Darius noticed. As he had done so many times before, Daniel proved his worth to his king and was rewarded for it. With reward, though, came the downside: envy.
Not only did he instill so much confidence in King Darius that he was in line to be the first in command (v. 3), but Daniel’s worst enemies were unable to find fault with him (v. 4). Misguided as his fellow administrators were, they understood Daniel well—his allegiance to God and His Word took precedence over his loyalty to the king (v. 5).
So the plotters coerced the king into issuing a temporary ban on any prayer to any being, and Daniel’s response was predictable. He did exactly what he had been doing before the decree was issued. Without protest, without compromise, without fear, Daniel prayed. He knew the consequences of his actions. He prayed, gave thanks to God, and asked Him for help (vv. 10-11).
But, to the surprise of King Darius, Daniel was thrown to the lions, sealed in, and imprisoned overnight for breaking the trumped-up decree. However, an angel of God had shut the lions’ mouths—but did not take away their hunger. For the animals feasted on Daniel’s enemies, who were punished for their wicked schemes, and Daniel escaped without a scratch.
Think about this, all Daniel did in this story was pray. God was glorified, the king praised His name, the wicked were judged, and a new decree was issued - all because Daniel prayed. O that we were a praying nation that trusted in God like Daniel.
The Truth: “In You our fathers put their trust; they trusted and You delivered them.” - Psalm 22:4
Clearly, King Darius caught on to Daniel's value, appointing him as one of three rulers over all his other administrators and even eyeing him for a position over the entire kingdom (v. 3). Daniel wasn't just a great man of faith; he was an all-around great man. He had always stood out from the other wise men in the kingdom, and Darius noticed. As he had done so many times before, Daniel proved his worth to his king and was rewarded for it. With reward, though, came the downside: envy.
Not only did he instill so much confidence in King Darius that he was in line to be the first in command (v. 3), but Daniel’s worst enemies were unable to find fault with him (v. 4). Misguided as his fellow administrators were, they understood Daniel well—his allegiance to God and His Word took precedence over his loyalty to the king (v. 5).
So the plotters coerced the king into issuing a temporary ban on any prayer to any being, and Daniel’s response was predictable. He did exactly what he had been doing before the decree was issued. Without protest, without compromise, without fear, Daniel prayed. He knew the consequences of his actions. He prayed, gave thanks to God, and asked Him for help (vv. 10-11).
But, to the surprise of King Darius, Daniel was thrown to the lions, sealed in, and imprisoned overnight for breaking the trumped-up decree. However, an angel of God had shut the lions’ mouths—but did not take away their hunger. For the animals feasted on Daniel’s enemies, who were punished for their wicked schemes, and Daniel escaped without a scratch.
Think about this, all Daniel did in this story was pray. God was glorified, the king praised His name, the wicked were judged, and a new decree was issued - all because Daniel prayed. O that we were a praying nation that trusted in God like Daniel.
The Truth: “In You our fathers put their trust; they trusted and You delivered them.” - Psalm 22:4
