7 All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions.

8 Therefore, O king, establish the decree and sign the document so that it cannot be changed—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.”

9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

10 Now when Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house, where the windows of his upper room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

13 Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the exiles from Judah, shows no regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed. He still makes his petition three times a day.”

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!”

20 When [king Darius] reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”

21-22 Then Daniel replied, “O king, may you live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.”

23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den, and when Daniel was lifted out of the den, no wounds whatsoever were found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

26 [King Darius] hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end.

— Daniel 6:7-10; 13, 16, 20-23, 26

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace, mercy and peace to you from the Lord Jesus Christ.

Daniel served God faithfully, regardless of who sat on throne. He lived to see the seemingly invincible Babylonian empire fall, defeated by the Medo-Persian army of Cyrus. The new king Darius planned to place Daniel over the entire kingdom because of his ability and integrity. Other government leaders, knowing Daniel prayed to his God three times a day at his room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem, were jealous and they suggested king Darius require everyone in the kingdom to pray only to him for 30 days or to be thrown into the lion’s den. When Darius implemented the law, Daniel did not cower or compromise. Daniel still three times a day got down on his knees and prayed to God. No human threat mattered more than his commitment to God.

Daniel was arrested and thrown into the lion’s den while Darius, who recognized Daniel’s integrity and uncompromising allegiance, said, “May you God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” God shut the mouths of the lions to save Daniel. Thereafter king Darius issued a new decree that all the people in his kingdom must fear and reverence Daniel’s powerful and forever-living God. God is with His people at every moment, always acting on their behalf. He never looks away when His children face suffering or danger. God always rescues His people. He comforts, calms, strengthens, and exalts them.