Daniel 6:15-28 Click here for Bible Verses
Hi GAMErs!
Today’s passage is Daniel 6:15-28. Let’s go!
Daniel 6:15-20 (NIV)
15 Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.
18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den.
20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
On verses 15-20: Daniel was sentenced to death in the lion’s den because he had broken the king’s law. The king was distressed because he wanted to save Daniel but had no power to do so.
Similarly, we were sentenced to death by way of separation from God because we had broken the king’s law. But unlike King Darius who wanted to save Daniel but was powerless to do anything, our King Jesus did something to save us: He Himself went into the lion’s den of God’s wrath for us so that we wouldn’t have to. You’ll never find another king as good, as powerful and as loving as Jesus.
Daniel 6:21-24 (NIV)
21 Daniel answered, “O king, live forever!
22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.”
23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
On verses 21-24: Because Daniel had trusted in his God, no wound was found on him even when he went into the lion’s den. Centuries later, Paul would say something similar. In 2 Timothy 4:16-18, speaking about his trial, he wrote:
16 At my first defense, no one came to my support, but everyone deserted me. May it not be held against them.
17 But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. And I was delivered from the lion’s mouth.
18 The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen.
Elsewhere our enemy Satan is described as a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour (1 Peter 5:8). As powerful as Satan is, because of Jesus we have spiritual weapons with which to fight Satan and to shut his mouth when he attacks (including the Word of God and the name of Jesus). So we need not fear our enemy Satan, because we have an even greater lion on our side: Jesus, the Lion of Judah (Revelation 5:5).
Daniel 6:25-28 (NIV)
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: “May you prosper greatly!
26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
On verses 25-28: Darius’ decree that no one pray to anyone except to Darius himself did not please God, but in His sovereignty God used this situation to bring glory to Himself. God took a situation that was far from ideal and used it as an opportunity to show His power, which ultimately led to everyone in King Darius’ kingdom hearing about the LORD and being told to fear and reverence Him.
Today God is still in the business of taking situations that are difficult, distressing and unjust and ultimately using them for His glory. If you’re in one of those situations today, know that God is not finished with your story. He is writing a greater story than you could imagine.
Jesus, thank You for being my Lion of Judah, whose roar reduces our enemies to kittens and makes them tremble. In Jesus’ name, AMEN!
