THE LIONS’ DEN
Daniel 6:1-28
INTRODUCTION: Last week, I talked about the faith of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego in the face of the furious King Nebuchadnezzar. Today, I’ll be talking about the faith of the fourth man in that brigade¾Daniel. He faced a similar test; only he wasn’t facing a fiery furnace but a den of lions. Let’s see how Daniel did and what we can learn from his experience.
· BACKGROUND: After Nebuchadnezzar’s reign ended, there came a dual reign with his son Nabonidus and Nabonidus’ son Belshazzar. In Chap. 5, Daniel, who was well known for being able to interpret dreams, was summoned by Belshazzar to decipher this mysterious writing on the wall. And, as the case before with Nebuchadnzzar, the king’s astrologers could not decipher it. So Daniel comes and translates it and Belshazzar rewards him by making him the third highest ruler in Babylon, behind Nabonidus and himself. That very night, however, Belshazzar was slain and Darius the Mede took over the kingdom (5:30).
· Darius set up 120 satraps to rule the land with three administrators to oversee the satraps with Daniel being one of the administrators (6:1-2). Daniel so distinguished himself with his exceptional qualities that Darius planned on setting him over the whole kingdom (vs. 3). That is, until jealousy struck (vs. 4).
1) THE JEALOUSY TEAM (VS. 4-9)
· Just like the jealous astrologers that went after Rach, Shach and Benny, these jealous administrators and satraps went after Daniel (vs. 4a). When God rewards our faithfulness, others may get jealous and try to attack our character and sabotage or undermine God’s work. What about us? When God blesses someone we know, do we rejoice with them or are we bitter?
· Because of Daniel’s integrity and morality, they couldn’t attack his character (vs. 4b). A letter was sent to the IRS. “Dear Sirs, last year when I filed my taxes I deliberately misrepresented my income. Now I cannot sleep. Enclosed is a check for $150.00. If I still can’t sleep, I will gladly send you the rest.” We need to live in such a way so that no one may be able to attack our character. 1st Pet. 2:12, “Live such good lives among the pagans that, though they accuse you of doing wrong, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day he visits us.”
· They knew the only way to get something on Daniel was to go after his God (vs. 5). Oh, if that would be true of us that the only way someone could come against us was if it had to do with our devotion to God.
· They went to sell their plot to the king (vs. 6-8). Some people make it their agenda to attack God and his followers. Prov. 29:10, “Bloodthirsty men hate a man of integrity and seek to kill the upright.” Have you experienced someone’s anger because you stood up for what was right?
· They flattered Darius in order to trap Daniel and it worked (vs. 9). They appealed to the king’s pride. There’s a saying, ‘Kings are the slaves of their flatterers’. What about us? Are we easily swayed by someone’s flattery? Are we apt to compromise our values because of a person’s manipulative sweet talk? Prov. 27:21, “The crucible for silver and the furnace for gold, but man is tested by the praise he receives.”
2) DANIEL’S FAITH RESPONSE (VS. 10-15).
· While they preyed, Daniel prayed (vs.10). His response was automatic. As soon as he learned of the decree he went to seek God. When we face a tough situation, do we make seeking God our first resort or our last one? When Daniel heard this decree he could’ve been like, ‘well, I guess I can’t pray for a month’. Or, ‘I’ll pray, but I’ll do it in secret so I don’t get caught’. Instead, he chose not to change a thing. He continued as if nothing was different. When life gets tough are we quick to put spiritual disciplines aside or are we strong and steadfast like Daniel? Prov. 24:10, “If you falter in times of trouble, how small is your strength?”
· Daniel gave thanks to God. He didn’t get angry or complain about having to deal with this predicament. Instead, he expressed thanks. What could he have possibly expressed thanks about in a time like this? A) Perhaps he was focused on life’s blessings instead of the burdens. This attitude keeps us from dwelling on the negative. When we focus on burdens instead of blessings we risk becoming bitter and resentful toward God. B) Perhaps he was thankful that he was given the opportunity to please God by responding in faith instead of anger. C) Perhaps he saw this test in the same light as Paul who said in Rom 5:3&4 that we rejoice in our sufferings because they produce perseverance, character and hope.
· Daniel’s faith response brought him trouble (vs. 11-13). Just like Rach, Shach and Benny’s faith response brought trouble on them, Daniel experienced trouble also. We shouldn’t be surprised when we have to suffer for our faith. Paul told Timothy in 2nd Tim. 3:12, “In fact, everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.” Notice Paul didn’t say, ‘might be’, he said will be. If you’ve been a Christian for some time now and you haven’t suffered for your faith, you might want to ask yourself, ‘why is that’?
· Daniel was unmoved (vs. 13). Daniel wasn’t shaken by the decree. He was going to continue to stand firm. 1st Cor. 15:58, “Therefore, my dear brothers, stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord in not in vain.” When trouble hits are we easily shaken? Do we allow trouble to take us away from God? Away from church? Away from the bible? Away from prayer? C.S. Lewis: “Faith is the art of holding onto things your reason has once accepted, in spite of your changing moods.”
· Darius regretted his decision (vs.14&15). Darius was greatly distressed about the situation. His pride overruled his reasoning. He hadn’t thought of Daniel when the other rulers brought about this idea. Now he was in a dilemma. Darius tried every way to sundown to rescue Daniel but it didn’t work (v.15). Have you ever regretted a decision you made? Have you ever instinctively jumped at what sounded good at the time but later realized that it really wasn’t? We need to be careful to not make decisions based on our feelings. Because many times, those decisions can’t be reversed.
3) IN THE LIONS’ DEN (VS. 16-18)
· Daniel faced the ultimate test (vs. 16a). As with Rach, Shach and Benny before him, Daniel showed extreme faith in his willingness to die rather than bow down to any other God but the one, true God. What about us? Do we show wavering allegiance? Do we put anyone/anything else before God? Or are we like Daniel who would rather die than compromise?
· Daniel had every day/every way faith (vs. 16b). “…whom you serve continually…” Daniel’s commitment to God was not sporadic. He was an everyday/every way follower. How do we measure up? Are we content with keeping God in our hip pocket until we find ourselves in a dangerous situation and then we call upon him to rescue us? God is not a genie that we can keep in our lamp until we need him. Our devotion needs to be consistent. Latin motto of the marines-"Semper Fi”-“forever faithful”. · Daniel’s faith was tested further by being in the dark (vs.17). Think about it: it isn’t enough that I’m thrown into a den of hungry lions; I also have to face these ferocious beasts in the dark? The only things visible are their glowing, piercing eyes. Can you hear their heavy panting; their guttural growls. Can you feel Daniel’s trepidation as he hears their movement and senses them coming toward him? Can you feel their hot breath on your face? Can you sense Daniel’s concern as he pictures their long, sharp teeth? As time ticked slowly on and all he had were his prayers can you see Satan invading his thoughts to try to get him to paint a picture of the merciless lions ripping and tearing at his tender flesh? Can you see Satan challenging Daniel’s faith by tempting him to contemplate a slow, painful death because his God couldn’t rescue him?
4) DANIEL CAME OUT UNSCATHED (VS. 19-23).
· Daniel’s innocence saved his life (vs. 22). Just like with Rach, Shach and Benny in the furnace, God sent a rescuing angel to shut the mouths of the lions. Have you sensed God’s presence whenever you’ve faced ‘ravenous lions’? God’s protection and comfort helps us through life’s perils?
· Daniel sees the light of day (vs. 23a). After what must’ve seemed like an eternity in the darkness, Daniel gets released. Have you felt the release from darkness into the light? When’s the last time you thanked God for your release from the ‘den of despair’?
· Because Daniel trusted God he wasn’t wounded (vs. 23b). Just as Rach, Shach and Benny had no ill effects from the fiery furnace, Daniel had no ill effects from the lions’ den. Whenever anyone asks us how we’re able to get through trying times without losing it we need to tell them about our faith in God’s awesome power.
5) THE JEALOUSY PLOT BACKFIRED (VS. 24)
· Their jealousy affected the lives of others (vs. 24a). “…along with their wives and children.” Unfortunately, this was a Persian custom. I’m sure the guilty ones who tried to trap Daniel were aware of that. But, when I’m green with envy and have malicious intent, I don’t care about anyone else. Nothing else matters except getting revenge.
· Daniel survived but his accusers didn’t (vs. 24b). Prov. 11:8, “The righteous man is rescued from trouble, and it comes on the wicked instead.” The attackers became the attacked while Daniel was untouched. When we have faith, we don’t have to fear the lions. This was a blatant display of protection for the righteous. Sometimes, though, it seems like the faithful suffer but the ungodly don’t. The reality, however is found in Prov. 11:21, “Be sure of this: The wicked will not go unpunished, but those who are righteous will go free.”
6) DARIUS ACKNOWLEDGED GOD (VS. 25-28)
· Darius recognized the miraculous power of God (vs. 26&27). Just like Nebuchadnezzar before him, Darius witnessed a miracle, concluding that God rescues his faithful servants. Have you witnessed people praising God when they heard what he has done in your life? We need to tell people what God is doing in our life so that they get to hear about God’s power.
· The righteous prospered (vs. 30). Because of his unwavering faith, Daniel prospered under Darius. His faith caused God to be known throughout the land. Had Daniel backed down, however, wickedness and despair would’ve continued. But, because Daniel was willing to trust God and face the lions he provided opportunities for God to be worshipped.
CONCLUSION: J.O. Fraser, a missionary to China said, “Faith is like muscle which grows stronger and stronger with use, rather than rubber, which weakens when it is stretched.” The extreme test of faith that Daniel persevered through undoubtedly made his faith stronger. Are you facing any lions today? Do you feel like you’re in a dark, enclosed den with hungry lions circling all around you? Do you seem like there’s no way out? Trust in God and believe in His power to rescue you and watch your faith get stronger. Then, go and tell others about it.
