King Darius, of the Medes and Persians who conquered Babylon, took over the rule, “…Daniel (a captive Jew) began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps (a provincial governor) because HE POSSESSED AN EXTRAORDINARY SPIRIT, and the king planned to appoint him OVER THE ENTIRE KINGDOM.” (Daniel 6:3) The other men whom Darius appointed were jealous and looked for some fault in Daniel, “…but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as HE WAS FAITHFUL, and NO NEGLIGENCE OR CORRUPTION WAS TO BE FOUND IN HIM.” (Daniel 6:4)
This must be our testimony in these last days, “For God is WORKING IN YOU, giving you the DESIRE and the POWER TO DO WHAT PLEASES HIM. Do everything WITHOUT COMPLAINING AND ARGUING, so that NO ONE CAN CRITICIZE YOU. Live clean, innocent lives AS CHILDREN OF GOD, SHINING LIKE BRIGHT LIGHTS in a world full of crooked and perverse people.” (Phil. 2:13-15) Jesus said, “I tell you the truth, anyone who believes in me WILL DO the same works I have done, and EVEN GREATER WORKS, because I am going to be with the Father.” (John 14:12)
So, what happened to Daniel? The jealous rulers tricked king Darius into signing a law that no one could pray to anyone else but the king, for the next 30 days or they would be thrown into the lion’s den! They knew Daniel prayed 3 times a day to “his” God. Darius very reluctantly carried out the punishment against Daniel and went down the next morning to see what happened to him, “…the king hurried to the lions’ den…called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, able to rescue you…”Daniel answered, “Long live the king! My God sent His angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight…The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. NOT A SCRATCH was found on him, for HE HAD TRUSTED IN HIS GOD.” (Daniel 6:19-23)
REMEMBER, GOD IS FAITHFUL! THERE IS NOTHING TOO HARD FOR HIM TO DO…
-Bill Stockham