Introduction

I will be doing a series from the Book of Daniel. I believe it will be very useful to us at this time of a global health crisis.

Daniel & his friends/colleagues were caught up in a crisis of sorts back in their own day: the loss of their freedom & had to live & flourish under a different atmosphere.

Key Points from Chapter 6

• Coming from Belshazzar’s “exit”, Darius was now the king and he set 120 satraps into administrative positions throughout the kingdom. He also set 3 presidents over them, of whom Daniel was one. They were to govern diligently.
• Daniel was distinguished above the presidents and satraps. There was spirit of excellence in him. The king thought to set him over everyone.
• The other presidents and satraps started resenting Daniel and conspired to eliminate him. They were unable to as he was faultless, faithful and error free. The only way they decided was to use his religion against him.
• They convinced the king to make a law which contradicted Daniel’s religion. They knew he wouldn’t comply. They knew where he drew his lines.
• When Daniel didn’t comply as they expected, they reported to the king, who became worried because he loved Daniel. Darius tried to figure out a way to save Daniel from the sentence of being thrown into the Lions’ den. He then had to authorize Daniel’s sentence, but spent the night fasting and abstaining from entertainment & sleep.
• God prevented the Lions from hurting Daniel. Darius ordered him to be taken out of the den and those who conspired against him were thrown into it, with their wives and children. Quite disturbing this.

Concluding Thoughts

• Daniel loved diligence. He focused on excellence. This should be said about us.
• Daniel had a solid reputation amongst all. From the king to his fellow administrators. There was no doubt as to where he stood and what he believed.
• Here we see Daniel, in captivity, serving a 3rd king and keeping to his godly principles. Daniel was consistent.
• God delivered him from the conspiracy, and this earned respect for his God from the king, and no doubt, others. The king made an edict indicating this, with much praise for Daniel’s God.
• And Daniel continued to live and flourish, while in captivity, itself, a crisis of sorts.
• Verse 28 is instructive: “So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian” [ASV]

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O.J