Read: Daniel 5-6
Marked: Daniel 6:16, So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
Daniel had been removed from everything he had know and loved and was taken as a captive to Babylon to live under the rule of the Babylonians and their laws. Yet, Daniel did not compromise his faith in the one true God.
When a new law was enacted that threatened capital punishment on anyone breaking the law for worshipping any god but the king, what does Daniel do?
Daniel 6:10, Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
Daniel simply did as was his custom. He was known and respected as a man of faith, a servant of God, and rose in his position, though a captive, in this foreign government.
He had influence on the king. This king, and others, recognized the hand of God on this humble man. Nowhere do we see Daniel rise up in opposition to the government, demand his rights, or call for the return to worship in Jerusalem.
This is striking in contrast to some Christian leaders today, rather than representing God, demand to be allowed to worship where they insist they must.
I think the words of this pagan king say it all, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
Are we witnesses of God, and known as faithful representatives of Him and His word to the extent where our government leaders, and the population would say this of us?
We are but strangers and pilgrims here. This world is not our home.
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