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Godly Men of Devotion
Daniel: Faith that Refuses to Compromise

Daniel 6:1-5 (Monday)
“It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. Finally these men said, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God."” (NIV)
1) Once again we find the Hebrew children dragged away from their “promised land” and in serving in captivity as the result of their continued disobedience and idolatry. The “kingdom” is Babylonia. Truthfully, many believers still walk in that same cycle of continued disobedience and spiritual idolatry. Share some of the ways we step out of, or refuse to enter our own “promised lands” and some of the ways we are spiritually held captive by our sin(s).
2) Captive, yes, but we do not find evidence of any resentment, bitterness or wasted time talents or opportunities in Daniel’s service to the king! Actually, at this writing, Daniel was 80 years of age and had faithfully and honorably served two other kings, (Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon and his son, King Belshazzar. Daniel has prospered and been highly favored, not only with his peers, but with those he ruled over—a far more difficult task to accomplish!
3) What was Daniel chief responsibility? As employees, or servants to the Most High God, are we busy about our task of making sure that our King does not suffer loss? How could Jesus suffer loss as the result of our spiritual laziness?
4) Daniel has caught the attention of the king. What brought Daniel to the forefront and what was to be the decision of the king?
5) The decision to set Daniel over the entire kingdom had not yet been settled before those Daniel had faithfully served—not to mention the very ones who had previously favored Daniel—turned on him! Talk about the speed of office gossip! What was motivating these men? Do you believe the king may not have fully trusted their faithful service?
6) Why were they not able to bring charges against Daniel?
7) Daniel’s work ethic was impeccable! What an example for us today! No fault could be found in the way he administered his duties or treated his “satraps”! Do you feel that the world is able to say that about most Christians in the workplace today? Explain your answer.
8) Why do you think Daniel was such a faithful and dedicated servant?
9) Can you think of any situations in our present day and time where people attack our faith, and ultimately, our God, simply because they cannot find fault in the way we conduct our lives? Do you see this as a blessing or a curse?
Daniel 6:6-12 (Tuesday)
“So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: "O King Darius, live forever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions' den. Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed." So King Darius put the decree in writing. 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. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: "Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions' den?" The king answered, "The decree stands--in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed."” (NIV)
1) Obviously, not everyone was in on this meeting with the king! Especially, faithful and unsuspecting Daniel. No, a group had banded together in order to deceive the king in such a way as to ensnare Daniel! Of course, they led king Darius to believe everyone agreed to this edict and insisted that it should be strictly enforced! What tactic did they use to persuade the king?
2) Something to be said about power in numbers (even if it is only assumed) and more so about the ego of man’s heart! If you read through the book of Daniel, you know that Daniel, an captive exile, was always faithful and quick to give the glory and praise to His God in any and every situation he encountered. The administrators and the satraps knew of his strong faith in God—that why they chose this way to be rid of him. Surely, king Darius knew—previous kings and their subjects would still be in awe of the way God moved in the life of Daniel. What caused king Darius not to take even a moment to consider what this edict would mean for his faithful servant?
3) It was important for this “edict” to be put in writing—why?
4) Darius was declared a god and to be worshipped by his people—for an entire month! What would it mean if the “god” admitted that he had made a mistake and retracted his own decree? How would the people have looked upon this king?
5) Our country is governed by written law. It is very difficult for us to repel an archaic law or even a law that is no longer applicable to the times and situations we live in today. Adding an amendment to the Constitution is even rarer! What are some ways you feel that unbelievers are attacking Christians by way of our court system?
6) Daniel didn’t know about the meeting, but it didn’t take much time at all for the news to reach him. What was his immediate response?
7) When you, your loved ones or those you care about are in need, what is your immediate response?
8) Now, let’s not get legalistic about methods and manners of prayer! Daniel had his own way of approaching God, which just so happened to be that he did so three times a day—a practice imitated by many Jews today! As Spike would put it, the reality is—we have been given open and ready access to Almighty God through Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior—we should be in continual prayer! Praise God! We don’t have to turn our faces toward Jerusalem, we can just bow our heads wherever we may be! Wherever and what ever manner of daily devotion you choose, do it from your heart and, like Daniel, with thankfulness!
9) Imagine! Daniel knew he was facing the lion’s den and for what—praying to the one true God! Did he try to hide the fact that he did so?
10) Do you think he believed that having the king’s favor would exempt him from this decree?
11) How is that possible to approach God with a truly thankful heart when suffering, pain, tragedy or death loom before us?
12) Eavesdropping! These men not only knew Daniel’s routine—they knew his faithfulness! They knew they would catch him in the act of worship! Are we so faithful—does our light shine so brightly, that others know they can come to us and find us unabashedly ready, willing and able to worship, pray and intercede in their behalf?
Daniel 6:13-16 (Wednesday)
“Then they said to the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day." When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, "Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed." So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions' den. The king said to Daniel, "May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!" (NIV)
1) King Darius was distressed because he knew that he had foolishly heeded the flattery of these despicable men and Daniel would pay the price for his folly! Note that these men sensed this hesitation in the king and, fearing a speedy end of their plot against Daniel, they added fuel to the flame. How did they seek to further ostracize Daniel?
2) Be sure—the king had the power (reminds me of Pilate washing his hands and letting Jesus be crucified!) What stopped him from moving in behalf of his favored Daniel?
3) How do the king’s final words speak to you about how Daniel had faithfully lived out his spiritual testimony before the king?
4) Ah, even the king knows the truth! Who was Daniel continually serving while in captivity?
Daniel 6:17-24 (Thursday)
“A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel's situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions' den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?" Daniel answered, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king." The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. At the king's command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.” (NIV)
1) So reminiscent of Christ in the tomb! The tomb had the seal of the Rome, as if that could hold the Son of God (Matthew 27:62-66!)
2) Not a very restful night for the king! A Persian king—fasting for a Jew! How this must have impacted the palace! Then, at first light, the king runs to the den and asks for the answer to the question he had been praying all night for—was Daniel’s God able to save Him? Oh, this would have been no small feat! The den was a type of pit, the lions were only minimally fed for the exactly purpose of keeping them angry and always on the edge of hunger! The pit was seal—no hope of escape, only the hope of a quick death!
3) Why does the world doubt that our God is able to save? What may have been some stumbling blocks to the king’s faith in God’s ability?
4) Have you ever experienced God’s “shutting the mouths of the lions” around you? Share.
5) Beloved of God, we suffer for Christ’s sake every day of our lives! The world has not yet physically been handed over to its rightful King, Jesus Christ. Make no mistake, Jesus is a soon coming King and, know this, our enemies—those who have persecuted and tormented us unmercifully will one day be thrown into the eternal lake of fire—along with satan, death and the grave! Glory! Oh, we must, in fact, we are commanded to pray for their souls—that they will come to true repentance, but know, “…vengeance is the Lord’s—He will repay!” Unfortunately for these men, they learned this lesson too late!
6) Why did king also have the wives and children thrown into the den with the trators?
Daniel 6:25-28 (Friday)
” Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: "May you prosper greatly! "I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. "For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions." So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” (NIV)
1) Finding Daniel miraculously delivered, King Darius publicly acknowledges that Daniel’s God is the only “living God!” What a declaration of faith! What mysteries about God were revealed to King Darius when he realized that Daniel’s God truly was able to save?
2) I wonder how this statement by the king further impacted the palace, his subjects—his entire kingdom! Any thoughts?
3) Does God receive any less glory if He permits His child to suffer unjustly (Hebrews 11?) The world cannot fathom that God’s salvation may be of physical nature, or it may reach all the way into the grave. They just don’t get, “Whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s (Romans 14:8!)”
4) Have you ever had your own personal “lion’s den?” To what lengths did God go in saving you? Please share!
5) I have to ask this question: Do you think that king Darius just added Daniel’s God to the many gods of the land, or was his confession one of true salvation?
6) You have to wonder, do you think that all the people followed this decree? Do you think they were ever thrown into the lion’s den?