'Appreciating God's Love'
A) Daniel had an Excellent Spirit
Dan 6:3-4 Then this 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. 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."
Daniel had an excellent spirit in that he was convinced that out of God's great love, He had sent them into captivity to save them from damnation because of their hypocrisy, lies, wickedness, idolatry, stiff-necked and rebellions against Him and His words.
Daniel was also convinced that God had sent them into exile in order to preserve them so that the Jews would repent of their sins by obeying the Mosiac law and the Prophets so that God would bring them back to dwell in Israel again.
So he surrendered his whole life to please and serve God. He believed and obeyed the words of Prophet Jeremiah by diligently and faithfully serving the Babylonian and Mede Persian kings as though serving God.
He carried out his duty with high integrity - no corruption, lies, bribery, partially nor evil practices but with righteousness, justice, truth, mercy, compassion and love that even King Darius loved him. Even Daniel's fellow governors and competitors were not able to fault him.
Note - are we living our lives for our Lord Jesus to enjoy His presence with His joy, peace, love, comfort and assurance?
Gal 2:20 I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me.
B) Trap set for Daniel's Death
Dan 6:5-8 Then these men said, "We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God." So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: "King Darius, live forever! 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, shall be cast into the den of lions." Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
Daniel knew that the proposal of disallowing anyone from praying except to the king would definitely sent him to the lions' den. He did not object nor influence King Darius, who cared and respected him very much, to discard this decree but instead joyfully accept this decree as a challenge.
Since his captivity to Babylon, God had been with him all these years. He was favoured by every king for they saw the annointing of God upon him in the interpretations of dreams and visions, knowledgeable, loyal, righteous and great wisdom in governance.
His great knowledge of God's word (memorized Torah and knowledge of other OT books) also strenghtened his faith in God as He saw the faithfulness of God fulfulling His words and promises in his own life granting him great wisdom, respect and prosperity.
He witnessed how God's Name was glorified when his three Jewish friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego were delivered from the fiery furnace for not bowing down to the golden image of King Nebuchadnezzar.
So without the fear of death, he joyfully went to his room to continue his daily prayers, knowing in his heart that God was still refining him, by giving him this opportunity to prove his trust in Him and to glorify His Name.
Dan 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.
C) Deadly Snares of the Devil
Dan 6:13-14 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 that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day."
As soon as the enemies of Daniel caught him praying, they were rejoicing for they had trapped the king's favourite and most respected governor to his death.
Immediately, they petitioned the king informing him that Daniel had disregarded and rebelled against his decree. They ensured that the king realized that Daniel was only a captive from Judah not even a Babylonian.
Since the king wanted to save his loyal friend, they reminded him that Daniel must be thrown into the lions' den, for no one including the king himself, could rescind any king's decree according to the Mede Persian law.
Note - these enemies of Daniel are like today's wolves in sheepskin - ready to kill and destroy godly Christian's faith.
Dan 6:14-15 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly 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. 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."
