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Day 6 Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” 6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, will be cast into the lion’s den. 8 Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. 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 three times that day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. 11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, will be cast into the den of lions?" The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 The king, when he heard these words, was displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the lion’s den. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. 18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no musicians were brought before him. Also, his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose early in the morning and went in haste to the lion’s den. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, delivered you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they could not hurt me because I was found innocent before Him; and, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad for him and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So, Daniel was taken out of the den, and no injury was found on him because he believed in his God. 24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the lion’s den—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. 25 Then King Darius wrote: To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: Peace be multiplied to you. 26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will endure to the end. 27 He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. 28 So Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Are people jealous of you and your position in the community, your workplace, or how you conduct yourself in public and in private? Do they try to bring accusations against you but cannot unless they devise lies against you? You hear about such things all the time. You only need to pick up one of those scandal sheets on the checkout counters to read the lies written about people who always make headlines. Darius was king of Babylon, having conquered the son of Nebuchadnezzar and taking his kingdom from him. Those he appointed over the kingdom along with Daniel, saw the integrity Daniel displayed and tried to find fault in him but could not. Therefore, they conspired against him to get rid of him. When the law they forced the king to sign was in place, they brought their accusations against Daniel. Darius had no choice but to throw Daniel into the lion’s den. He despaired of the decree and what his governors forced him to do so much that sleep eluded him. Before he threw Daniel in the den, he told Daniel his God would deliver him. In the morning, when Darius heard how God delivered Daniel, he was glad. He brought him out of the den and threw all those who conspired against Daniel into the den along with their families. Then he made a proclamation concerning Daniel and the people who served God that they should say nothing against their God. Christians come under fire from the world all the time. People always try to bring unfounded accusations against them to have them demoted from their positions among their peers, in the workplace, and community. They don’t realize that no one can bring an unfounded accusation against a man or woman of God who stands firmly in their faith. God will always deliver them. Among Christians, there are those who display jealousy and bring discord to the Christian community to dislodge those who they see as better than themselves and will do whatever they can to find fault with them. However, God will have the final say against those who bring unwarranted accusations against His faithful followers. They will find themselves on the receiving end of their conspiracy to discredit God’s faithful servants. Are you on the receiving end of the conspiracy to displace you or are you one of the conspirators? God knows who you are and will defend His faithful followers, and bring destruction to the lives of those who conspire against them, even those who call themselves Christians. Do you need to confess your sins to God and ask Him to forgive you of your jealousy against your fellow Christians? Do it before it’s too late. Change your heart and attitude and watch God give you a new heart free of jealousy, one that serves God with gladness. Let’s pray: Father, You know my heart. Search me and see if there is any wickedness in me that is harmful to my fellow Christians. Give me a new heart, free from bondage, and let me serve You with a heart of gladness and thanksgiving. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 19 July 2023 by Valerie Routhieaux The image belongs to me.