Daniel chapter 6, Message 7

At his advanced age, we would have understood if Daniel had sought to decline Darius’ placing him over the rulers of the kingdom. He was an old man, a “stranger” in the land (even though dwelling in the kingdom all of his adult life), a respected leader over the conquered nation, now being placed in this position of leadership over the princes of the victorious nation. We do not know if was looking forward to a quiet and peaceable retirement, but it is certain that he did not have one.
Daniel never retired from an opportunity to bring glory to God. He is an example of that which Paul wrote to the church in Ephesus – Ephesians 1:12 That we should be to the praise of his glory…..
We must never forget – 1 Corinthians 6:20 (KJV) For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s.

We will see this morning that because of Daniel’s testimony –

I. He was Promoted.

A. He was honoured.

Daniel 6:1-3 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom; And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first:…

Why was he so honoured? Because –

B. He was honest.

…that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage. Then this 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.

Daniel could be trusted in all things and he would allow no corruption in the government. He knew God’s standard for kings –

Proverbs 16:10-12 A divine sentence is in the lips of the king: his mouth transgresseth not in judgment. A just weight and balance are the LORD’S: all the weights of the bag are his work. It is an abomination to kings to commit wickedness: for the throne is established by righteousness.

Because of his faithful stand for God and the king –

II. He was Provoked.

Daniel 6:4 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.

The princes were –

A. Confronted by his testimony for the Lord.
B. Confounded by his faith.

1. He was constantly watched.
2. He was carefully investigated.
3. He was consistently loyal to God and to King Darius.

C. Convinced by his consistency, they determined to prepare a trap using the pride of the king.

Daniel 6:7,9 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellers, 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.…. Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

The king would have been wise to have known the Word of God –

Proverbs 29:5 A man that flattereth his neighbour spreadeth a net for his feet.
Although Darius promoted Daniel over these men to protect himself from their dishonest practices, his pride blinded him to the purpose of these men. Daniel, though, was aware of their plan and he placed his trust in God –

Psalm 140:5-6 The proud have hid a snare for me, and cords; they have spread a net by the wayside; they have set gins for me…. I said unto the LORD, Thou art my God: hear the voice of my supplications, O LORD.

III. He was Persistent.

His faith remained strong in the Lord –

Daniel 6:10 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.

Daniel did not allow the fear of death to turn his heart from the Lord. His testimony for the Lord had been open before all and he would not hide now!

Luke 11:33 No man, when he hath lighted a candle, putteth it in a secret place, neither under a bushel, but on a candlestick, that they which come in may see the light.

We are to be testimonies in this world which takes courage that must come from the Lord. We see here that God blessed Daniel and –

IV. He was Protected. God testified of His own greatness through this event.

A. The King’s appeasement of his conscience.

Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

A thing that the king could not do. He had given up that power through his own pride!

B. The King’s anxious cry unto Daniel.

Daniel 6:20-22 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

He’s able, He’s able,
I know He’s able,
I know my Lord is able
To carry me through

C. The King’s anger against the conspirators.

Daniel 6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

D. The King’s acclamation of praise unto God.

Daniel 6:25-27 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

We need to remember the proclamation of praise from powerful empires of this world brought forth through God’s working in the life of one man, this man Daniel. What can I do, I am only one person?

It is not about your power, it is about your position – a child of the most High God, the Creator of the universe, the Lord of Lord and King of Kings. It is about Him and your trust in giving Him your life for His glory.

Romans 12:1-2 I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

Remember: “That we should be to the praise of his glory…”