There is an account in scripture that astonishes me every time I read it! No matter how many times I’ve read it before, my mind goes to the scene and I wonder what I would have done in that situation.
God had warned His people that if they did not keep His law there would be serious consequences. Prophets came to deliver these words and the Israelites either ignored them, persecuted them or killed them. So God allowed His people to be conquered by Babylon. Many were killed but some became captives. Daniel and his three friends were taken as young men and trained to be of service to the king. Interestingly, we do not see them wallowing in self pity, or shaking a fist to the heavens about their captivity. They served King Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and when Babylon was overthrown by the Medes and Persians, Daniel served under King Darius.
In the sixth chapter of Daniel we read that Darius had set in charge of the provinces Daniel and others. Daniel and two other men were made governors over the satraps “so the king would suffer no loss” (6:2). Darius so trusted Daniel that he even thought of setting him over the whole realm. For that reason, the other two governors and the satraps sought to find some charge against him, but to no avail. They could find no charge, fault, or error against him because he was faithful.
Perhaps they witnessed him go to his window three times a day to pray. They finally concluded that they could not find a negative unless it was concerning his God. Scripture says that all the governors, satraps, counselors and advisors then consulted together to design a royal statute and give it to the king. They approached Darius with great words of flattery and then presented him with this decree, “whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days except the king shall be cast into the den of lions.” Darius signed the decree, which, under the law of the Medes and Persians, could not be revoked or altered .
When Daniel knew the decree had been signed, he immediately went to his upper room, opened his window facing Jerusalem, knelt and prayed, as was his custom since early days (vs. 10).
King Darius was deeply saddened about having to put Daniel in the lion’s den. That night he did not sleep well, but rose early and went to check on Daniel. He called out, asking if God was able to deliver him? Daniel answered that God had indeed shut the mouths of the lions and he was safe!
It doesn’t appear that Daniel ever hesitated to be loyal to his God. In fact, his steadfastness led King Darius to make these things known to all dominions in the earth:
- that God was steadfast forever
- that His kingdom shall never be destroyed
- that His dominion shall endure to the end
- that He delivers and rescues
- that He works signs and wonders in heaven and earth
- that He delivered Daniel from the power of lions
The king’s conclusion about Daniel’s God is astounding, especially coming from a decidedly polytheistic culture. We would do well to emulate Daniel. Do we have customs? Certainly we do! Some are linked to attending our favorite school’s games. Some are customs that honor seasons and their events.
However, we who belong to Christ should have customs devoted to God’s kingdom—worship, serving others, and evangelizing the lost, as well as daily customs of seeking God in prayer and through His word. Hopefully we push aside fear or embarrassment, and allow our families and the world to see our customs and lead them to do what King Darius did, to seek the one true living God!
Today’s Verse: So He [Christ] came to Nazareth, where He had been brought up. And as His custom was, He went into the synagogue on the Sabbath day, and stood up to read (Luke 4:16).
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By Teresa Hampton