10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Daniel 6:10 (KJV)
Opposition against the church
The church has been opposed since its beginning. The Chief Cornerstone of the church was not only opposed but killed in an attempt to stop the church. But, of course, that didn’t work. His death actually gave birth to the church. In these trying times we, the church, must be steadfast, resolute, unmovable, determined, and dedicated, always abounding in the work of the Lord. This post is written to encourage those who are on the firing line of the battle against evil to keep doing what God has called us to do. This especially includes apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, and teachers who are called for perfecting, edification and other works of ministry. Ephesians 4:11-13 says:
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers;
12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ:
13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ:
We should fully understand that if the enemy came against our head, then he will come against us. But we should also know that we already have the victory. All we have to do is keep doing what God called each of us to do.
All Scripture is given by the inspiration of God
It’s encouraging to know that according to 2 Timothy 3:16 All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
Daniel’s actions as instruction in righteousness
I so appreciate the Lord for giving us examples of strongmen such as Daniel who had to stand firm in spite of all that he had to go through. God ordained that his story is written so that we, the church, could use his life as instruction in righteousness.
Daniel’s actions in Dan. 6: 1-28 spelled out exactly what we should do when we are opposed or the enemy sets up a trap to try and stop us. Daniel’s actions should help us to go through anything that we have to endure. If God brought him out alright, then He’ll bring us out alright too.
In the sixth chapter of Daniel, King Darius set up 120 Princes over his kingdom with three Presidents over the Princes. He made Daniel the Head President over them all. This made the Princes and other Presidents jealous. To make matters worse, the King thought about placing Daniel over the entire realm.
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
The sly scheme of the Princes and Presidents
The Princes and Presidents tried to find fault in Daniel but his character was impeccable. So, these men grouped together and plotted to destroy Daniel through the law of His God. They developed a sly scheme that ensnared the King into approving a decree that they knew that Daniel would not keep. They knew Daniel’s history of praying to his God three times a day.
The decree said that for thirty days anyone who made a petition of anyone, including God or man, except the King, would be thrown in the lion’s den. The King approved it and was totally unable to cancel the decree once he had signed it. What did Daniel do? Did he decide to quit praying for 30 days until the decree ended? Did he decide to pray in secret, changing his open prayer habit? Did he wimp out and fall apart, not knowing what to do, thereby doing nothing? NO! Listen to the actions of this Man of God.
Daniel the unstoppable
10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
Daniel never stopped doing what he had always done. True enough, his actions caused him to be thrown into the lion’s den, but he came out totally unscathed. As a matter of fact, at the end of the ordeal, God was praised and exalted by the King. This is what the King decreed when he discovered Daniel alive and unharmed in verses 26-27:
King Darius’s New Decree
I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
What a victorious outcome. The 28th verse says: So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
The life of Daniel should serve as a great example of how we are to endure hardness as good soldiers of Jesus Christ (2 Timothy 2:3 ). If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us (2 Timothy 2:12.) Whatever God has called us to do, we must do it with all that we have, knowing that Our God is supreme.
Vengeance belongs to God
As we end this story, we have to know that the plotters and schemers were destroyed by the lions. The schemers, their wives, as well as their children, were thrown into the den. Oops, so sorry schemers, but it’s best not to mess with God’s chosen. After all, He said that vengeance is His. And you know that God is sovereign. He always wins.
Romans 12:19 (KJV) Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.