Daniel 6:9–28

They told his majesty that they had held full consultation. They had agreed "to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions" (v. 7). The decree needed only one thing to be valid: the king's signature. After that no one could change it, "according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked" (v. 8). His nobles in his new territories gave him homage and submission, and this probably flattered the king. He fell straight into the snare they had woven around his feet. He did not pause to consider the dreadful position he was accepting — a position belonging to God alone — and he "signed the document and injunction" (v. 9).

First, the decree is in itself the very height of wickedness. It is the terrible attempt to dethrone God and set up man in His place. It seeks to install the king in a place of absolute supremacy over heaven and earth, above God and man. For thirty days no one could ask a petition of "any god or man." Nebuchadnezzar's sin was great, but this is far greater. Nebuchadnezzar had set up an idol in the place of God; but now Darius sets himself up in the place of God. Secondly, the motive of the decree is evil in the extreme. Trading on the uprightness of Daniel's character, and his known faithfulness to the law of his God, these men purposely devise a decree which they know Daniel will not obey.

In this case, deceived by his vanity, the king finds himself bound by laws apparently set up to protect his subjects from his whims, under the pretence of giving his will and his wisdom the character of being unchangeable — a character that belongs to God alone.

Daniel 6 shows that this empire was inferior to Nebuchadnezzar's, for he did whatever he wanted to do. No laws restricted his actions; he was a law to himself. Darius, when he signed a decree, was bound by it, "according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked" (Dan. 6:8, 15). He stayed bound even when he must have realised that the law was being used to force him to act against his own wishes. The head of the empire was powerless when faced with the law.

However he had been trapped, Darius had stepped outside the circle of his authority. In signing this decree he had intruded into God's circle, where man has neither right nor place. So if Daniel was to keep a good conscience towards God, he had no choice but to refuse to submit to the decree.

Both decrees came out of an empire that allowed no alteration or cancellation of its decrees, yet they stand in contrast. The first was cancelled as to its penalty; the second was soon cancelled as to its performance. The later history of that empire shows that men did not tremble and fear before the living God, as they were commanded to do. No empire can legislate in the things of God.

Darius himself was a well-meaning man. But he allowed flatterers to trap him into a very serious position in relation to God. He signed a decree: anyone who asked a petition of any god or man for thirty days, except of himself, should be thrown into the den of lions. This was stepping into God's own place. The last head of Gentile power will do this openly. MAN will be worshipped, and God will be formally and officially renounced.

The Holy Spirit clearly states that Daniel did not act in ignorance. At the time he bowed in prayer before God he knew about the decree. He knew the alternatives. He knew he would have to obey the decree, or be thrown into the den of lions. I have no doubt he weighed the consequences of his actions carefully. Fear of the consequences has turned many a man back from following the truth.

He does not shut his windows, and he does not increase or lessen his petitions. He is just that day what he had been every day before. He was a very even saint. It was not the great difficulty that took him to his knees three times a day. It was his custom.

It was not a sudden burst of energy in prayer because the circumstances were difficult and his life was in danger. It was his continual practice. It was not something forced on him; it was his joy… He was a great man with great responsibilities in administration. Yet he could find time to pray three times a day, in settled portions.

But why insist on praying toward Jerusalem? Was it a piece of Jewish superstition? No; it was a magnificent display of divine principle. It was God's own banner raised in the middle of the depressing, humiliating results of Israel's folly and sin. True, Jerusalem was in ruins; but God's thoughts about Jerusalem were not in ruins. It was His centre for His earthly people.

There was a reason for his windows being open toward Jerusalem. At the dedication of the temple, Solomon had prayed for the people, in case they were ever carried away captive into an enemy's land. He asked God to hear them if they prayed toward the land He gave their fathers, toward the city He had chosen, and toward the house built for His name. He asked Him to maintain their cause. Daniel was therefore resting on the sure word of God in praying this way, for the Lord had said to Solomon, "I have heard your prayer and your plea."

He had always prayed in this open way. If he suddenly closed the windows and prayed in secret, all Babylon would read it as cowardice, or as agreement with the decree. In that idolatrous city Daniel had borne a public witness to the true God. He was not a secret disciple. To obey the decree would mean breaking the first commandment. He prays and gives thanks "before his God." Men may see him praying, but it is before God, not men, that he prays.

Daniel, when in the very shadow of death, with the plot laid to take away his life, prayed three times a day and gave thanks before his God. To have heard him pray in that great difficulty would not cause so much wonder. But to have his heart in tune for giving thanks in such a sad hour was admirable.

Daniel could say, "You may throw me into the den tonight, but I will never give up the truth of God. I must stand for that, whatever it costs. I have nothing to do with results — nothing to do with consequences. These I leave entirely with God. My place is simply to obey."

For their plot to succeed, Daniel's enemies had counted on his known habit of prayer and his unswerving faithfulness to his God. They did not count in vain. They gather before Daniel's house, and there they find, as they expected, that Daniel is praying and making his supplications before his God. The king's decree, the plot of his enemies, and the den of lions do not deter him.

They were so sure of Daniel's integrity toward the law of his God that they knew he would not stop praying to Him in the open, even at the cost of his life. Do our enemies — or even our friends — have such confidence in our faithfulness toward God and His Christ? We may well doubt it. Let the question search our consciences and stir our hearts deeply.

Daniel was no "secret disciple." Everyone knew his habits of prayer. So his enemies knew how to find out whether he was obeying the decree or not. The phrase "these men," used again as in verse 5 (see also vv. 15, 24), no doubt expresses God's own estimate of their wicked conduct.

Daniel's faith was to be tested to the limit. The law forbidding his prayer was a law of the Medes and Persians that could not be changed, and it had to be carried out. Satan is allowed to go as far as he can. Daniel's was no formal prayer-saying. In praying he was "making supplication" — prayer in its most intense form, an earnest calling on God, fervent and effective, as though his requests could not be refused. And he probably prayed more for others than for himself. Chapter 9 gives a remarkable example, and men who excel in prayer often do the same.

Daniel's action was based on the Word of God. He does not shut his windows. He does not add to his petitions or cut them down. That day he is just what he had been every day before. He was a very steady saint. It was not the great difficulty that took him to his knees three times a day. It was his custom, and of course his enemies found him in prayer. What a happy thing for saints to be known as people of prayer, and to be found on their knees like this.

Yet to his enemies such behaviour must have looked like folly. Think of praying to a God no one can see. Think of turning toward Jerusalem while doing it — a ruined city that showed God's anger against His people. And think of disobeying the king's decree. But folly or wisdom, they had achieved their aim and had trapped Daniel. They could now prove a charge of disobedience and demand the punishment the law required.

The point of this chapter is that the devoted man will be the delivered man. Darius, I believe, spent a miserable night, fasting and sleepless. If you and I had gone down to the den of lions, I think we would have found Daniel fast asleep. Faith in God and a clear conscience make a rare pair, especially in a lion's den!

Here is a man acting simply on the truth of God, praying toward Jerusalem, though death stared him in the face as the result of his act. What came of it? A glorious testimony to the God of Israel, and the destruction of Daniel's enemies.

Having gathered their evidence, these men come to the king. They remind him of the terms of the decree, and he has to admit that they are true. Then they bring their charge. They press the point that Daniel is a captive from Judah, that he has no regard for the king, and that he ignores his decree. They say nothing about the fact that he prays to his God and obeys His law.

But they had gained their point, and so far their wicked scheme had prospered. Delighted with their success, "they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction" (v. 12). Had the king not signed the decree, they asked? The king replied, "The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked." Sadly, the king was in the hands of these dishonest men. He had accepted their flattery, and now he was their helpless slave. Without knowing it, he had locked his own chains.

Man, whatever his position, is the slave of those who flatter him. Here the king is deceived by his own vanity. He finds himself bound by laws that were set up, so it seemed, to guard his subjects from his whims. The excuse for those laws was that his will and his wisdom never change — but that quality belongs to God alone.

The presidents and princes were shrewd men. They knew the power of flattery and how men love to exalt themselves. So they suggested to Darius a decree that would exalt him. It made him a god, in effect, for the space of a month. Darius fell into this trap. From it we learn that in this kingdom of "silver" the king's power was not as absolute as in the kingdom of "gold". Nebuchadnezzar did just what he liked, with nothing to check him. The Medo-Persian kings had to listen to the advice of their captains and counsellors, and once a law was issued, no one could change it. For all practical purposes there was to be no God but Darius for thirty days!

The Aramaic word is often translated "for" as well as "until." In some places where our translators chose "until," "for" would have done just as well. So in Daniel 6:7 it appears as "for thirty days," and in verse 12 as "within."

The decree served two purposes at once: it flattered king Darius, and it got rid of the rival they envied. They had such confidence in Daniel's integrity "concerning the law of his God" that they felt sure of one thing. He would not stop praying to Him in the open, even at the cost of his life. Do our enemies — or even our friends — have the same confidence in our faithfulness toward God and His Christ? We may well doubt it. Let the question search our consciences and stir our hearts deeply!

Notice the cunning of these servants of the evil one. They remind the king that Daniel came from a captive people. They hope this makes his disobedience look worse. A man of such origin, they suggest, owes the king gratitude for his promotion, and so should feel bound to obey his ruler's command. They would join ingratitude to his act of disobedience. They would also make it look as if the decree was the king's alone. In fact they were its cunning authors. "He pays no attention to you," they say, when in fact it was not so much the king that Daniel disregarded, as these wicked conspirators themselves.

They bring their charge: Daniel is a captive of Judah, he does not regard the king, and he ignores his decree. They refrain from saying that he makes his petition to his God and regards His law.

How skilfully they had framed their indictment! Here was a man who regarded neither the king nor his decree. Was this a fair presentation of the facts? Further, three times a day he made his petition. True; but to whom? They did not say. How could they speak the name of the unseen God, whose awesome presence gave Daniel his strength and comfort? Yet the indictment was complete. Daniel's ways did look like disregard for the king. Escape was impossible.

There is no sign that the decree was a secret to Daniel. On the contrary, he was fully aware of what had passed into law. But, on the other hand, he could not compromise his God... There is no showing off, but he does not hide it. His windows are open toward Jerusalem, as usual. He bows down before his God three times a day, and prays and gives thanks as he had done before. He gives his enemies the occasion they were looking for.

The king was in the hands of these unscrupulous men. He had accepted their flattery, and now he had become their helpless slave. He himself had fastened his own chains without knowing it. With the king safe in their trap, they revealed what their malicious hearts were after. Their very words only betrayed the depth of their wickedness.

Here we clearly see the skilled hand of the one whose titles include "the accuser of our brothers." No doubt this same Satan has a much more active part in what tries the faith of God's people today than most of them realise. For this very reason they should give themselves all the more to prayer while the fiery trial tests them.

His enemies catch Daniel praying, and I can understand how delighted they are. His condemnation is now certain. They go to the king and remind him of the edict... The world was witness to his resolute godliness. And it is a happy thing if the world has the same thing to say about your habits and mine.

Their personal hatred of Daniel and of his race is now plain, and so is their envy of his position. It is plain too that they had only used the king as their tool to destroy Daniel, while claiming they wanted his absolute supremacy. This brought the king face to face with the fruit of his own doings. He could no longer hide from himself the real purpose of the writing he had signed. How often we are blinded to the nature of our actions until we meet their irreversible consequences!

For the success of their plot these men had counted on the vanity of the king and the faithfulness of Daniel. If the king had been proof against their flattery, or if Daniel had been unfaithful to God, their scheme would have failed. But Daniel remained faithful, and the king accepted their flattery, and so far their plot prospered. By accepting their flattery the king became their slave.

His efforts showed how much he valued Daniel, and how kind his own heart was. But he was no longer his own master. He himself had declared that the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be changed.

Realising his folly, the king made desperate attempts until nightfall to release Daniel — and, along with him, himself — from the tangle he had created. But it was all in vain.

Now Darius discovers, too late, the fault in his own decree. To rescue his favourite minister he labours till sundown, but in vain. His was the labour of mercy against the iron claims of justice, of love against law. Clearly both could not stand. If he delivered Daniel, he broke the law and dissolved the bonds of his empire. If he upheld the law, he had to crush all his feelings of mercy and compassion. There was no alternative. So his long labour was useless.

The problem Darius wanted to solve was this: how to do what his heart desired and still keep the law he had signed. David faced the same problem with his son Absalom. David could not reconcile love with law. So he ignored the law and acted in love, and the very man he had shown grace to drove him from his throne. Darius ignored the dictates of his heart and upheld the law. He kept his throne, but Daniel was thrown into the den of lions.

Oh, that problem, so unsolvable to the mind of man! How can mercy find room to act without breaking the rules of justice? What unbeliever can answer such a question? What system of philosophy can explain the puzzle? But God has explained the whole thing in one sentence — "so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26). And the cross of Christ stands before the world as the divine answer. There justice finds full satisfaction in the death of the Son of God, and so it lets mercy pour out all her riches on the guilty.

In Daniel 6 we have the outward history; in Daniel 10 and Daniel 11:1 we see the spiritual conflict behind the history. We now learn that the hostility of Daniel's enemies came out of spiritual wickedness working behind the scenes. In the same way, the favour Darius showed Daniel was the result of God's angelic messenger confirming and strengthening the king. Neither Daniel's enemies nor his friends knew much of what these spiritual beings were doing.

His efforts showed how much he valued Daniel. They showed the kindness of his own heart too. But he was no longer his own master. He himself had declared that the laws of the Medes and Persians could not be changed. Daniel's enemies were quick to take advantage of that admission... They asserted their power. Their words, "Know, O king," revealed their purpose to keep it at all costs. So Darius did not dare to play games any longer with the most powerful nobles of his kingdom.

Daniel 6 shows that this empire was inferior to the empire of Nebuchadnezzar. He did whatever he wanted to do. He was not restricted in his actions by laws that bound him; he was a law to himself. Darius, when he signed a decree, was bound by it, "according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not change" (Dan. 6:8, 15), even when he must have realised that the law was being used to force him to act against his own desires. The head of the empire was powerless when faced with the law.

His was the labour of mercy against the iron claims of justice, of love against law. It was clear that both could not stand. If he delivered Daniel, he broke the law and dissolved the bonds of his empire. If instead he kept the law, he had to crush all his feelings of mercy and compassion. There was no other choice. So his long effort was useless. Justice barred kindness and demanded satisfaction.

David, in his day, had to face this problem in the matter of his son Absalom. David could not reconcile love with law. So he ignored the law and acted in love. The result was that the man he had shown grace to drove him from his throne. Darius ignored the desires of his heart and kept the law. The result was that he kept his throne, but Daniel was thrown into the den of lions. Every precaution was taken to carry out the king's decree to the letter.

Oh, that problem so impossible for the mind of man! How can mercy find room to act without breaking the rules of justice?... But God has explained the whole thing in one sentence — "so that he might be just and the justifier of the one who has faith in Jesus" (Rom. 3:26). And the cross of Christ stands before the world as God's answer. There justice finds perfect satisfaction in the death of the Son of God, and so it allows mercy to pour out all her riches towards the guilty.

The deed was done, and these men triumphed over both Daniel and Darius. But there was Another on Daniel's side whom his enemies had not counted on. As the rest of the story shows, their short-lived victory was only the prelude to their own defeat and destruction. If God is for His people, no one can succeed against them, however things look at the moment.

The first was cancelled as to its penalty; the second was soon cancelled as to its performance... No empire can make laws in the things of God. So this "law of the Medes and Persians" was soon broken openly and everywhere!

The problem that Darius sought to solve was this: how to carry out the desire of his heart and yet keep the law he had put his hand to. David, in his day, faced the same problem in the matter of his son Absalom. David could not reconcile love with law, so he ignored the law and acted in love. The result: the man he had shown grace to drove him from his throne. Darius ignored what his heart told him and upheld the law. He kept his throne, but Daniel was cast into the den of lions, and every precaution was taken to carry out the king's decree to the letter.

He had walked with the living God for many a long year. Of one thing I am certain: the living God walked with him to the mouth of the den that day. He went in. Then the king said to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." That was a splendid word for him to hear as they rolled the stone to the mouth of the den... What a fine character Daniel had! And what a fine testimony to his service for the Lord — "whom you serve continually."

By God's grace, Daniel was privileged to bear witness in the court of this king, and that testimony had borne fruit. Now the sorrow that has fallen on Darius brings the fruit to light. He is assured that Daniel's God will not now abandon His faithful servant. Could we think there was no element of faith in this man's confidence in the God of Daniel?

The king commends Daniel for doing what directly disobeyed his own decree. He is confident that God will not abandon the man who puts the fear of God above the fear of the greatest man on earth. His conviction was right, and it always is. Yet in this age of faith God's intervention does not always take the direct and miraculous form it took in past ages.

The deed was done, and these men triumphed over both Daniel and Darius. But there was Another on Daniel's side whom his enemies had not counted on. As the rest of the story shows, their short-lived victory was only the prelude to their own defeat and destruction. If God is for His people, no one can stand against them and win, whatever things look like for the moment.

Daniel is cast into the lions' den, as our blessed Lord was given to the lion (Psalm 22:21). A stone is laid on the mouth of the den, and the king seals it with his signet. He is, so to speak, in a grave — as good as dead in the eyes of the world, for who has ever heard of hungry lions not devouring a man? All this brings before us that other place: the tomb in the garden where He was laid, and the stone in front of it. That stone bore the seal of the Roman world power.

Daniel is cast into the lions' den. God preserves him. He will do the same for the remnant of Israel at the end of the age. The judgment which Israel's enemies tried to bring on the faithful among that people falls on themselves.

The problem Darius tried to solve was how to carry out the desire of his heart and still uphold the law he had signed. David faced the same problem in his day over his son Absalom. David could not reconcile love with law, so he ignored the law and acted in love, and the result was that the man he showed grace to drove him from his throne. Darius ignored what his heart wanted and upheld the law. As a result he kept his throne, but Daniel was cast into the den of lions. Every precaution was taken so that the king's decree was carried out to the letter.

We may well think here of another law and another love. God, a holy and righteous God and a God of love, found a way to save man. God's holy law condemns man, who is a sinner, and the curse of the law rests on him. God's love is set on the world. He "so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life." The curse of the law fell on Him who knew no sin and who was made sin for us. That is how love was shown.

Stones with words, letters, or symbols engraved on them. In ancient times these were pierced and hung from the arm or neck by a cord or chain, or they were set in rings and worn on the finger. The design was pressed into pieces of clay attached to official documents, which in the East are not considered genuine unless sealed. The seal was also used to guarantee security, or to keep sacred the things not to be revealed.

The seal fixed to the stone "on the mouth of the den" was like the seal on the stone rolled to the door of the tomb. Both show that the judicial and governing authority pledged itself to keep its prisoner in secure custody.

But there was Another on Daniel's side, whom his enemies had not counted on. As the following account shows, their short-lived victory was only the prelude to their own defeat and destruction. If God is for His people, no one can successfully be against them, whatever things may look like for the moment.

The chief priests and Pharisees had been allowed by God to bring about the crucifixion of the Lord Jesus. After His death He was buried in the tomb. Not content with getting what they wanted, they obtained permission from Pilate to make "the tomb secure by sealing the stone and setting a guard." In both cases man thought he could secure his aim by making rescue impossible. But God was not in his thoughts at all; and what can man do when he dares to fight against God?

Daniel represents the remnant, the faithful few who in those last days will refuse to give up the worship of God. As a result they are cast into the den of lions; they go through the great tribulation of the last days, when Satan the "roaring lion" would devour them, but has his mouth shut; and they come out of it tested, faithful, and true for God, His witnesses.

A seal also protected from interference. The den was closed and sealed with the king's own signet. This was to guard the den from all interference, whether by friend or foe. No one could tamper with Daniel. What a comfort it is to know that we are guarded from all interference in the same way by the presence of God's seal, the Holy Spirit. Everything that comes to us is by His permission; nothing else can touch us.

(V. 18). The king was sure God would step in for His servant. Even so, he was full of remorse for what he had done, and he spent a sleepless night fasting.

But what about his royal master? He passed the dark and weary hours fasting, restless and sleepless. His conscience accused him. His spirit was wounded. His trusted servants had betrayed and humiliated him. His own decree, which came from hell, had trapped him. And he had now become the murderer of the most important and best loved minister in his kingdom. He tosses on his bed in the most wretched condition imaginable.

Having lost his sleep, the king did not, as was the custom in those days, send for instruments of music to pass the tedious hours (see Dan. 6:18). Instead he thought of the book of the records of the chronicles and commanded it to be read before him (Esther 6:1).

Darius was trying to solve one problem: how could he do what his heart wanted and still keep the law he had signed? David faced the same problem in his day with his son Absalom. David could not reconcile love with law. So he ignored the law and acted in love. The result was that the man he had shown grace to drove him from his throne. Darius ignored what his heart told him and kept the law instead. The result was that he held his throne, but Daniel went into the den of lions, and they took every precaution to carry out the king's decree to the letter.

It does not matter whether it is a lions' den in Babylon or a prison in Philippi — faith and a good conscience can make a man happy in either. We doubt whether Daniel ever spent a happier night on this earth than the night he spent in the lions' den. He was there for God, and God was there with him... Who would not rather be Daniel in the den than Darius in the palace? The one is happy in God, the other is deeply displeased with himself. Darius wanted everyone to pray to him; Daniel would pray to none but God. Darius was bound by his own rash decree; Daniel was bound only by the word of the living God. What a contrast!

The point of this chapter is that the devoted man will be the delivered man. I believe Darius spent a wretched night, fasting and sleepless. I think if you and I had gone down to the den of lions we would have found Daniel sleeping soundly. Faith in God and a clear conscience are rare companions to sleep with, especially in a lions' den!

Can we read all this without thinking of One in a later day? Because He was faithful to His Father and God, He was numbered with the transgressors and went down among lions (Ps. 57:4; 22:13). Yet the same power that delivered Daniel saved Him from the lion's mouth. Here we have a faint foreshadowing of our Saviour's night of sorrow. He was delivered into the hands of sinners... and He went down to a grave closed with a stone and sealed with recognised, God-given authority.

We have seen plainly that the heart of Darius was not in what was done. Now the deed was over, and remorse filled him — despite his own stated assurance that God would deliver Daniel. He spent the next night fasting. He did without his usual music. His sleep left him. Rising early in the morning, he went in haste to the den of lions. All his thoughts were for the time centred on Daniel.

The king had fallen into a snare; but Daniel was in good keeping. It was all right with him. "The name of the LORD is a strong tower; the righteous man runs into it and is safe." A lion's den at Babylon or a prison at Philippi — it makes no difference. Faith and a good conscience can make a man happy in either. We question whether Daniel ever spent a happier night on this earth than the night he spent in the lions' den. He was there for God, and God was there with him... Who would not rather be Daniel in the den than Darius in the palace?

His conscience accused him. His spirit was wounded. His trusted servants had betrayed and humiliated him. His own decree had trapped him, and it had made him the murderer of the most important and best loved minister in his kingdom. He tosses on his bed in the most wretched condition imaginable. At the first streak of day he is found at the mouth of the lions' den.

Early in the morning the king hurries to the den of lions, and, to his relief, finds that God has indeed intervened. In calling to Daniel he addresses him as "the servant of the living God," and again he recognises that Daniel has served God continually. In their charge the wicked men had made everything of the king and nothing of God; the king makes everything of God and nothing of himself.

Daniel is cast into the lions' den, as our blessed Lord was given to the lion (Psalm 22:21). A stone is laid on the mouth of the den and sealed with the king's signet. He is, so to speak, in a grave, as good as dead in the eyes of the world — for who has ever heard of hungry lions not devouring a man? And all this brings before us that other place — the tomb in the garden where He was laid. The stone before it bore the seal of the Roman world power.

The law had been upheld, and Daniel had suffered its punishment. So no one could now object on the ground of the unchangeable laws of the Medes and Persians. Darius could use his authority and command that Daniel be taken up out of the den. When they took him up, "no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God"... God produced faith in Daniel's soul, and that faith brought God in. He shielded His servant from the malice of his enemies, holding back the natural, ravenous instincts of the lions. The apostle, with Daniel in mind, speaking of the prophets, says, "Who through faith… stopped the mouths of lions" (Hebrews 11:33).

The point of this chapter is that the devoted man will be the delivered man. I will guarantee that Daniel had the best of it that night. I believe Darius spent a wretched night, fasting and sleepless. I think if you and I had gone down to the den of lions we would have found Daniel sleeping soundly. Faith in God and a good conscience are rare bedfellows, especially in a lion's den!

The heart of Darius was clearly not in what was done. Now the deed was carried out, and despite his stated assurance that God would deliver Daniel, remorse filled him. All his thoughts were centred on Daniel... God had not forgotten His servant. Daniel had faced the full display of Satan's power. Yet he was not, and could not be, injured, for he was under the all-powerful protection of the living God.

And see in the end what remarkable honour Daniel received. He stood publicly identified with the one living and true God. "O Daniel," cried the king, "servant of the living God." Truly he had earned this title for himself. He was, without question, a devoted and decided servant of God... Nothing could be more marked. Nothing shows more clearly how much God values plain decision and true-hearted devotion. It does not matter where, when, or by whom it is shown.

Early in the morning the king hurries to the den of lions, and, to his relief, finds that God has indeed stepped in. In calling to Daniel he addresses him as "the servant of the living God," and again he recognises that Daniel has served God continually. In their charge the wicked men had made everything of the king and nothing of God; the king makes everything of God and nothing of himself.

This reveals the whole secret of his protection and deliverance. God Himself produced faith in his soul, and that faith brought God in. He shielded His servant from the hatred of his enemies by holding back the wild, hungry instincts of the lions. The apostle, with Daniel in mind, speaking of the prophets, says, "who through faith... stopped the mouths of lions" (Hebrews 11:33). It was one of the victories of faith that should encourage the people of God to trust in Him and to count on Him at all times.

Nebuchadnezzar forbade anyone to speak evil of the God of Israel, and he praised the King of heaven who had humbled him. But Darius commands that everyone everywhere acknowledge the God of Daniel and of Israel. He is the only living God, whose kingdom is everlasting, and He had indeed delivered the man who trusted in Him. It appears that Darius had some respect for God and for Daniel's godliness. It was not his God, but the God of Daniel: still he honours Him, and even calls Him the living God.

Daniel represents the remnant, the faithful few who in those last days will refuse to give up the worship of God. As a result they are cast into the den of the lions. They go through the great tribulation of the last days. Satan, the "roaring lion", would devour them, but his mouth is shut. They come out of it tried, faithful, and true for God, His witnesses.

The point of this chapter is that the devoted man will be the delivered man. I would guarantee that Daniel had the best of it that night. I believe Darius spent a wretched night, fasting and sleepless. I think if you and I had gone down to the den of lions we would have found Daniel sleeping soundly. Faith in God and a good conscience are rare bedfellows, especially in a lion's den!

"O king, live forever," sounded loyally and joyfully from the lips of the man of God. "My God," he said — claiming Him as his own by a right and title now renewed — "sent His angel, and shut the lions' mouths." Yes, God was able to deliver, and had done so.

Dear friend, can you say, as Daniel did, "My God"?… When I say "my," it means something I own — someone I know. He is mine — my God. And how can I be sure that God is my God? The Lord Jesus Christ had no sin. On the cross He bore our sins and the judgment of God, and at last He cried out, "My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?"… God forsook Him so that you and I might be accepted.

God had not forgotten His servant. Daniel had faced the full display of Satan's power, yet he was not injured, and he could not be. He was under the almighty protection of the living God. So he was able to answer the king's question, after the usual loyal greeting: "My God has sent His angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me."

Notice, however, that Daniel claimed that "innocency" was found in him before God. The lesson is this. Without a good conscience in His sight, we could not know we were under God's protection. We could not claim His help — or, to put it better, expect it. Before the king Daniel was as clear as he was before God. Like the apostle Paul, he had a conscience free of offence towards God and towards men.

Darius himself seems a man we can take a good deal of interest in. He drew back from what he had done. But as a picture he stands for the Beast — man's complete turning away from God. Daniel represents the remnant, the faithful few who in those last days will refuse to give up the worship of God. As a result they are thrown into the den of the lions. They go through the great tribulation of the last days. Satan, the "roaring lion," wants to devour them, but his mouth is shut. They come out of it tried, faithful, and true for God.

Daniel replies to the king with a glad voice: "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me." Scripture has drawn a veil over what happened through that night. Scripture tells us only that God's angel was there — no doubt a visible sign from God — and that the lions' mouths were shut. Daniel's mouth is opened in praise and thankfulness as he now confesses what God has done.

God had not forgotten His servant. Daniel faced the full display of Satan's power. Yet he was not, and could not be, injured, for he was under the almighty protection of the living God.

Can you say, like Daniel, "My God"? If you do not learn to say "My God" on earth, you will never learn to say it in eternity… When I say "my," it means something I possess — someone I know. I possess Him — my God. And how can I be sure that God is my God? The Lord Jesus Christ had no sin. On the cross He bore our sins and the judgment of God. At last He cried out, "My God, my God, why have You forsaken me?" God forsook Him so that you and I might be accepted.

Notice, though, that Daniel claimed God found "innocency" in him. Here is the lesson. Without a good conscience in His sight, we could not know that we are under God's protection, nor could we claim, or rather expect, His help. Before the king Daniel was as clear as he was before God. Like the apostle Paul, he had a conscience free of offence toward God and toward men.

This reminds us of the apostle Paul. He says to his accusers, "So I always take pains to have a clear conscience toward both God and man." That is what all Christians should do. And how do you get and keep a conscience free of offence toward God? You get it first of all when the blood of the Lamb washes you clean. You keep it by walking in dependence on God and in obedience to Him.

The point of this chapter is that the devoted man will be the delivered man. I will guarantee that Daniel had the best of it that night. I believe Darius spent a wretched night, fasting and sleepless. I think if you and I had gone down to the den of lions we should have found Daniel sleeping soundly. Faith in God and a good conscience are rare bedfellows, especially in a lion's den!

The men who drew up the decree left God out of their calculations. They had not counted on any power being able to restrain the ferocity of the lions. They had made no provision in their decree that anyone thrown to the lions must be killed by the lions. So the law was fulfilled and Daniel was saved.

Daniel represents the remnant, the faithful few who in those last days will refuse to give up the worship of God. As a result they are cast into the den of the lions. They go through the great tribulation of the last days. Satan the "roaring lion" would devour them, but his mouth is shut. They come out of it tried, faithful, and true for God.

When they took him up, "no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God" (v. 23). The whole secret of his protection and deliverance is revealed here. God Himself produced this faith in his soul. That faith brought in God, who shielded His servant from the malice of his enemies. He held back the natural, ravenous instincts of the lions. The apostle, with Daniel in mind, speaking of the prophets, says, "who through faith … stopped the mouths of lions" (Hebrews 11:33).

He simply states what his walk before God had been, and what his conduct had been in relation to the king. "So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him." Why? "Because he had trusted in his God" (v. 23). Do you believe in God? If you are a believer in God, you are sure to be blessed.

The men who drew up the decree left God out of their calculations. They had not counted on any power being able to restrain the ferocity of the lions. They made no provision in their decree that anyone thrown to the lions must be killed by the lions. So the law was fulfilled and Daniel was saved. These malicious men were exposed for what they were. They were thrown into the den of lions with their families, caught in the trap they had laid for the man of God.

My law has been honoured, my throne left stainless, and my heart's desire granted as well. Daniel has already been cast into the den of lions. He satisfied the fullest claims of a broken law, and then he was taken out again… So I am as righteous in refusing to hear the charge against him today as I was in putting him into the den yesterday! My First President is free — righteously free! — and every breath of accusation must from now on be silenced for ever.

Now to apply. What happened to Daniel personally has taken place for the believer substitutionally.

"Then the king was exceedingly glad… So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God." A happy testimony! Daniel honoured God, and God honoured Daniel. No harm came to his three friends in the burning fiery furnace. They had refused to worship the image. No harm came to Daniel. He had refused to stop worshipping God. Their conduct was negative; his was positive. They said "no"; he said "yes."… Faith, like a gold coin, has two sides: the negative that refuses evil, and the positive that chooses good.

Can we read all this without thinking of One who came later? Because of His faithfulness to His Father and God, He was counted among the lawbreakers, and went down among lions (Ps. 57:4; 22:13). Yet He … was saved from the lion's mouth by the same power that delivered Daniel.

Daniel represents the remnant, the faithful few who in those last days will refuse to give up the worship of God. As a result they are cast into the den of lions. They go through the great tribulation of the last days, when Satan the "roaring lion" would devour them. But his mouth is shut, and they come out of it tested, faithful and true for God.

The king's work was not finished when Daniel was delivered. What had happened made him fully aware of how great the wickedness of his officials was, and in righteous anger he passed sentence on them. These men fell into the pit which their own hands had dug, and their own feet were caught in the snare they had laid for Daniel. In this way God testified to His servant, and executed judgment upon His enemies.

In Daniel 6 we see not only Daniel delivered but also the evil men who conspired against him judged. They and their families suffered the exact fate they had designed for Daniel, and that by the order of the king they had deceived into the evil law.

The men who drew up the decree left God out of their calculations. They had not counted on any power being able to restrain the ferocity of the lions. They had made no provision in their decree that anyone thrown to the lions must be killed by the lions. So the law was fulfilled and Daniel was saved. These malicious men were fully exposed. They were thrown into the den of lions with their families, caught in the snare they had laid for the man of God.

Faith, which God produced in his soul, brought God in. He shielded His servant from the malice of his enemies by subduing and holding back the lions' natural, ravenous instincts. The apostle, with Daniel in mind, speaking of the prophets, says, "Who through faith... stopped the mouths of lions" (Hebrews 11:33).

Daniel is cast into the lions' den. God preserves him. He will do the same for the remnant of Israel at the end of the age. The judgment which the enemies of Israel sought to bring on those who were faithful among that people is executed on themselves.

But God will Himself protect them, and stepping in for their release by the appearing of Christ, will bring on their enemies the very judgment they had designed for His people.

Acts 12, which begins with the deliverance of Peter, ends with the judgment of Herod. In both cases an angel "smote." He smote Peter up for deliverance, and then smote Herod down to a miserable and disgusting death. God has not repeated these actions, just because we live in this Gospel age, which is characterized by grace. When this age of grace ends, we shall see God's saints completely delivered, and their oppressors completely judged.

In this marvellous way God made the wrath of man praise Him. The attempt to put out the light of His testimony in Babylon for ever became the means of kindling that light across the whole earth.

Darius now sends out a second decree to all who live on the earth. All people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. This goes beyond the decree of Nebuchadnezzar recorded in Daniel 3. That one only commanded that no one should speak anything wrong against God. This decree commands men to pay God proper respect and fear, as a recognition of His sovereignty as the living God. So through the faithfulness of one man, the effort to set man in the place of God becomes the occasion of a worldwide testimony to the living God.

In such a wonderful way God made the wrath of man praise Him. He turned the effort to put out the light of His testimony in Babylon forever into the means of kindling it across the whole earth.

This was his second measure. It wiped the first out of existence. It established, as far as a human decree could, a religion that acknowledged the living God. Men were to tremble and fear before Him. The king published it in every realm of his wide domain.

It seems from history that Darius had some respect for God and for Daniel's devotion to Him. It was not his God, but the God of Daniel: still he honours Him, and even calls Him the living God.

And does not this second decree of Darius give us good reason to hope that God brought him too, like Nebuchadnezzar, to the knowledge of the true God? … His confession of Daniel's God as the living God is a great encouragement.

Darius had gained a certain definite knowledge of God from Daniel's faithfulness. Up to this time he had no real knowledge of Him. It is amazing what the effect of faithfulness is. Something lovely always happens where a soul witnesses for the Lord — where it takes a bold stand and confesses Him in the open. Confession is an immense thing. I am sure many people today are converted to the truth of the gospel and yet have never taken their stand for the Lord.

"The God of Daniel" is a title that now shines on the page of inspiration as does that of "the God of Abraham, of Isaac, and of Jacob."

The deliverance of the Jews — that is, of a remnant — is the public display on the earth. It gives the nations their occasion to confess that God is the true God. They will say, as Jethro said to Moses, "Now I know that the LORD is greater than all gods" (Ex. 18:11).

This was his second measure. It wiped the first out of existence. It set up, as far as a human decree could, a religion that acknowledged the living God. Men were to tremble and fear before Him. It was published in every realm of his wide domain.

Darius now sends out a second decree to all who live on the earth, that all men are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. This goes beyond the decree of Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel 3, which only commanded that no one should speak against God. This decree tells men to give God due respect and fear, recognising His sovereignty as the living God. One man stayed faithful. So the effort to set up man in the place of God becomes the occasion of a world-wide testimony to the living God.

Daniel knew the living God. He was in touch with the living God. Are you? It was a fine testimony that Darius sent out to all his subjects: "He is the living God, and steadfast for ever." Thank God He is. It is a good thing to know the living One in a world of death. "The living God."

I admit that Darius meant the rescue and deliverance of the body. But it is just as true of the soul — indeed, more true. God is the saviour of His people. He is the living God. Have you turned to Him? Paul reminds the Thessalonians: "You turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God" (1 Thess. 1:9)... He never changes. He saves sinners. He upholds His saints.

Daniel chapter 6 records God's faithfulness to His faithful servant Daniel. We see it in his remarkable deliverance from the den of lions. The impression made on Darius caused that ruler to exclaim, among other things, "The God of Daniel... He is the living God, and steadfast for ever". The Psalmist (Psalm 102) says of God "You are the same" — a name which runs right through Scripture. Paul wrote to Timothy in days marked by compromise and unfaithfulness. He points out that God "remains faithful — for He cannot deny Himself" (2 Timothy 2:13).

The decree of Darius goes beyond that of Nebuchadnezzar in one respect. There is a millennial note in his praise — "His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and His dominion shall be to the end." Here we have Gentile history in brief. God begins by declaring Himself as God in heaven, and by the wonderful display of His power He demands the worship of man. Man ends by denying God and taking for himself the honour that belongs to God alone.

It appears from the history that Darius had some respect for God and for Daniel's devotion. It was not his God, but the God of Daniel: still he honours Him, and even calls Him the living God.

Through the faithfulness of one man, the effort to set up man in the place of God becomes the occasion of a world-wide testimony to the living God.

How far he entered into the truth of the words he ordered to be written, we are not told. However that may be, the testimony he gave to God and to His sovereignty was no small thing... In this marvellous way God made the wrath of man praise Him. He turned the attempt to put out the light of His testimony in Babylon for ever into the means of kindling it throughout the whole earth.

This goes beyond the decree of Nebuchadnezzar recorded in Daniel 3. That one only commanded that no one should speak against God. This decree commands that people give God the respect and fear He is due, recognising His sovereignty as the living God.

I fully admit that Darius meant the rescuing and delivering of the body. But it is just as true, and even more true, of the soul. God is the Saviour of His people. He is the living God. Have you turned to Him?... He never changes. He saves sinners. He upholds His saints. He comforts, strengthens and blesses them. The result of their testimony is that His glory spreads far and wide... The night before, Darius said, God will deliver. In the morning he asks, Did He do it? God did it. And then Darius sends out a decree: I want everybody to know Daniel's God, who has done it.

As a matter of history, it appears that Darius had some real respect for God and for Daniel's godly life. It was not his God, but the God of Daniel: still he honours Him, and even calls Him the living God.

Does not this second decree of Darius give us good reason to hope that God brought him, like Nebuchadnezzar, to the knowledge of the true God?... His confession of Daniel's God as the living God is marvellously encouraging.

The deliverance of Daniel is also typical. He pictures the remnant, God's faithful remnant, who will be in Jerusalem and in the land during the days of Antichrist's dreadful rule. Through the scheming of their enemies they will be thrown, as it were, into the lions' den. Displays of Satan's power will surround them on every side, and to human eyes their destruction will look certain. But God will Himself protect them. He will step in for their release by the appearing of Christ, and He will bring on their enemies the very judgment they had designed for His people.

The deliverance of the Jews — that is, of a remnant — is the public display on the earth. It is what leads the nations to confess that God is the true God.

We have now finished what I may call the first volume of Daniel. The book divides into two parts exactly at the end of this chapter. That is one reason why we are told that Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. In the next chapter we go back to the reign of Belshazzar, and Daniel comes before us again.

Daniel 5 tells us that it was Darius the Mede who "received the kingdom." He was the first head of the empire. His receiving the kingdom does not clash with Cyrus taking the city of Babylon, which Isaiah 45:1-2 implies. When Darius died, Cyrus followed him and reigned in Babylon, and from then on the Persian side of the empire came to the front.

By the next morning he was up again, up higher than ever if possible, and that to the great glory of his God. This time of high honour lasted long into the reign of Cyrus, probably to the end of his life.

Nothing shows strength more than the ability to go on in a great crisis just as before. The weak man turns with the wind and changes to fit what is popular. Or else he makes a show of his refusal by turning extreme and rude. Daniel went on just "as he had done previously."

Daniel was a prayerful and praiseful man, and then, sharing all he received with his brothers and sisters, he prospered (see also Daniel 6:28). Here is the secret of a prospering saint. Notice, if I have light, it is not for myself, it is for others. We are only vessels, and God puts the light in us. So whether it is the gospel, or the truth about the Church, we are responsible to circulate it and pass it on. And I believe the truth that you and I may glean and gather, if we do not use it and pass it on, will soon rot away in our very souls.

Two things can be said about this time of prosperity. First, God let him see Jeremiah's prophecy fulfilled. He also saw the decree issued for rebuilding the much-loved house of God (see Daniel 6:10; Ezra 1:1). Indeed from his high place he may have had a share in bringing it about. Second, in this last time of honour in old age he was as close to God as ever.

God in His favour gave them more wisdom and knowledge than all the learned men in Babylon. For this reason they ranked high among the lords of that mighty empire, and that itself was a bitter grievance to those proud men. But they were there under the protection of God, and while He had need for them in that place, nothing could harm them.

He started well in his youth and continued in long service to God under pagan kings. The good start was very commendable, but continuing and finishing well is also expected of us.