Daniel 6:1-10
Verse 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
The new ruler of Babylon didn’t take long getting things in order in his new realm. He organized the country into 120 regions and set up three men over the regional leaders. One of those men was Daniel. As a man so devoted to God that he did a good job as if working for the Lord instead of his boss, Darius soon took notice of Daniel. Being so impressed with Daniel, Darius started making plans to put the Jewish exile into an even higher role in the kingdom.
The ruler wasn’t the only one who took notice of Daniel, the other leaders soon became jealous that he was being looked at so favorably. The problem they had was that Daniel was so devoted to God there was nothing they could complain about. He didn’t do shoddy work, he gave good guidance and always seemed to have a wise word to give. He was a good leader, but they hated him. After discussing what to do, the 122 men came to the conclusion that the only way they would be able to trip him up was to convince Darius to make a law which went against the laws of Daniel’s God.
Even in this situation God was showing His attention to detail. Daniel and God’s relationship was such that Daniel reflected God’s goodness and trustworthiness and God decided to use him to set up one of the greatest examples of devotion and care in the history of mankind. But before that could happen God needed to set the stage which gave Him an opportunity to reveal a bit more about Himself to people who hadn’t grown up knowing Him in the way that Daniel did.
Before the 122 men could go to Darius to have him put out an order which would trip up Daniel, they had to know more about what God required of His people. They had to know Daniel’s practices and how they fit with what God had commanded of the people of Judah. There is little doubt that they learned more about God as they found a way they could get Daniel out of their way.
Knowing what they needed to know, they went to Darius and got it all in writing. They knew Daniel would fail because he was so predictable when it came to his faith. Daniel didn’t waste any time. As soon as he heard the news, he went home to pray to God. Just as he always did, he went up to a window which faced Jerusalem. The direction of his prayers made it obvious, he was guilty of breaking the law.
Making It Personal
If it was against the law to be devoted to the Lord, would there be enough evidence to convict you? Do you try to hide your faith if you think people will treat you different if they knew? Is God worth being disliked by someone?
Making It Personal Kids
How intentional are you at building and maintaining your relationship with God? Do you think knowing God is worth it if someone else doesn’t like you? Are you willing to get in trouble for worshiping God?
Closing Prayer
Father, thank You for setting up details in our lives to work out Your greater plan. Help us stand firm in our faith so we can bring You glory and make You known. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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