STAND — Week 3
Stand Strong
Daniel 6
Covenant Loyalty Under Pressure
You don’t stand to prove who you are. You stand because you already know who you belong to.
Daniel’s Character
Darius the Mede divided the kingdom into 120 provinces and appointed high officers to rule over them. The king also chose Daniel and two others as administrators to supervise the officers and protect the king’s interests. Daniel soon proved himself more capable than all the other administrators and high officers, and the king planned to place him over the entire empire.—Daniel 6:1–3
Even in his eighties, Daniel continued to serve faithfully and with excellence.
Daniel’s Reputation
The administrators and officers searched for some fault in Daniel’s work but could find nothing to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. They concluded that the only way to accuse Daniel would be in connection with the law of his God.—Daniel 6:4–5
Daniel’s life was marked by faithfulness, responsibility, and trustworthiness.
Excellence often attracts jealousy.
When God Raises Us Up, Expect People to Tear Us Down
Sometimes opposition comes from others. Sometimes it comes from our own insecurities.
Daniel did not worship God to provoke conflict. Daniel worshiped God because he belonged to Him.
The Plot Against Daniel
The administrators and officers persuaded King Darius to establish a law that for thirty days anyone who prayed to anyone other than “So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” So King Darius signed the law.—Daniel 6:6–9
King Darius signed the law, and the trap was set.
Daniel’s Response
But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.—Daniel 6:10
Daniel simply continued doing what he had done his entire life.
Our first response to problems should never be panic—but prayer.
Gratitude in Every Situation
Daniel continued to give thanks to God even when the situation meant possible danger.
Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow.—James 1:17
And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.—Romans 8:28
Stand On Our Knees
Kneeling in prayer is what gives us the strength to stand.
Daniel’s strength came from a lifetime of prayer, worship, and trust in God.
Deliverance
My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.—Daniel 6:22–23
Daniel entered the lion’s den because of his unwavering commitment to God. Daniel was unharmed because he trusted in God.
Responding to Enemies
Never pay back evil with more evil. Do things in such a way that everyone can see you are honorable. Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. Dear friends, never take revenge. Leave that to the righteous anger of God. For the Scriptures say, “I will take revenge; I will pay them back,” says the Lord. Instead, “If your enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink. In doing this, you will heap burning coals of shame on their heads.” Don’t let evil conquer you, but conquer evil by doing good.—Romans 12:17–21
As surely as I live, says the Sovereign Lord, I take no pleasure in the death of wicked people. I only want them to turn from their wicked ways so they can live. Turn! Turn from your wickedness, O people of Israel! Why should you die?—Ezekiel 33:11
Don’t rejoice when your enemies fall; don’t be happy when they stumble.—Proverbs 24:17
When We Do What’s Right, We Can Always Trust God With the Results
We cannot control outcomes, but we can choose obedience.
Understanding the Lion’s Den
The lion’s den is not our situation.
The lion’s den is not our circumstances.
The lion’s den is how we handle our situation, how we approach our circumstances, and how we respond in faith.
We do not worship God to get out of the lion’s den. We worship God because we belong to Him.
Standing Strong
We stand strong by:
• Kneeling in prayer
• Abiding in Christ
• Trusting God with the results
• Remaining faithful in every circumstance
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