THE COURAGE OF GREAT CONVICTION
Daniel 6
.3 …Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king’s decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.
I. THE BASIS FOR HIS SUCCESS.
A. FIRM IN PURPOSE. (1:8)
But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king’s meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself. (Daniel 1:8 KJV)
1. Consider the pressure he faced.
A. Because he was in a strange place.
B. Because he was amongst strange people.
2. Consider the purpose he formed,
B. FAULTLESS IN PRACTICE. (6:4)
C. FERVENT IN PRAYER (9:3)
II. THE BATTLE STARTS.
A. THE PROBLEM CONFRONTING HIM
1. Others were aggravated by his success.
2. Others were angry because of his
sincerity.
1. They could find no fault in him.
A. They examined his public life.
B. They examined his personal
life.
2. This was a credit to this faithful
man.
B. THE PLOT CONSPIRED AGAINST HIM.
1. The scheme. (vv.6-8)
2. The signing. (v.9)
III. A BOLD STAND.
A. HE DIDN’T COMPROMISE HIS POSITION.
1. Stop praying? No way!
2. Secretly pray or silently pray? No way!
B. HE CONTINUED TO PRAY.
1. It revealed courage.
2. It revealed commitment.
3. It revealed character
