“Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent sprit was in him. … So the presidents and satraps conspired and came to the king, … ‘establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever prays to anyone, divine or human, for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be thrown into a den of lions.’ … Therefore King Darius signed the document and interdict. … Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to His God and praise him, just as he had done previously. … Then they responded to the king, ‘Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the interdict you have signed, but he is saying his prayers three times a day.’ … and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions. Then the king said to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you faithfully serve, deliver you!’ … Daniel 6: 3, 6a, 7c, 10, 12a-b, 16b-c
Who do you listen to? Who gives you advice? Why do they give it? Think about this personally and spiritually? Does the one you listen to have your best interest at heart, or do they manipulate you for their own concerns? Who do you your advice givers follow? God or themselves? The rest of the story: Daniel survived the night in the lion’s den. The King, who had been reluctant to enforce the law that he had been tricked into establishing and signing came to check on Daniel early the next morning. Daniel was unharmed, because he was found blameless before God, he had done no wrong. King Darius decreed: “That all in my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; for he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. (Daniel 6:26-27) How does my example compare? Do I stand up against earthly powers who attempt to build themselves up and limit God? Or do I stand firm in my faith, even in times of danger? Would I stand firm even when my life is threatened? The answer is life changing, not for me but for those who witness the faith I exhibit. Just think what would happen if believers in Jesus Christ practiced their God given right of freedom of religion – that we worshipped and prayed in public – without fear. Our enemies, the freedom from religion folks would go the way of the presidents and satraps….. Let us continue to go the way of God, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Let us all be faithful like Daniel.