The Sovereign God of the Lions’ Den - Daniel 6
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Good morning. I always go back to what Miss Faith says is that we know who's preaching is the one that's wearing the tie, right? So that's a good giveaway. So Ervin, you're up next, brother. You're up next. It's an honor and privilege to be able to be here last weekend had an opportunity to go excuse my voice, but last weekend we had an opportunity
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to go celebrate Phoebe's second birthday. So we were in Jacksonville and we got to visit Grace Community Church, the church that we were at previously were in Jacksonville. It was great to be able to be there and visit some friends and get to see some old acquaintances. But I'll tell you, there's nothing like being here at IBC. We love you guys. We're so grateful for those that serve within our church. We thank you for you consistently coming. We just thank you for the fellowship and ministry that you guys provide. So we're so grateful for you all being here. Also, as you can kind of hear my voice is still raspy, but I will tell you that God's grace is good. I've been struggling with this weird laryngitis thing for almost going on four weeks now. And but today's actually been believe it or not the best day that I've had. So I appreciate your patience through that. This morning we're going to be looking in Daniel chapter 6. So Daniel chapter 6. So feel free to turn there. Before I get there, I just want to kind of set up
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kind of where we are and why we're going to be looking at this chapter. For those who may not know, I didn't get saved till after I graduated college. And so when I grew up, I didn't grow up in a church at all. We sometimes went to Easter or Christmas. When we had nothing else to do, but in general, we never never went to church. So it really wasn't very familiar with anything. In regards to stories or the Bible. Jennifer actually grew up in a Christian home. She went to church on a regular basis. She actually didn't get saved until after we got married. But when I got saved, the first question Jennifer asked me, "What Bible stories do you know?" do you know, knowing the ark, David and Goliath, And she started rattling off, you know, Jonah, the great fish, Moses partying the Red Sea. And Daniel's in the lion den. And I will have to honestly say, I didn't know any of them. And her response was, "Well, for you to be a Christian, you need to know these stories." That was really, really important.
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So the first Bible that Jennifer ever bought me was a children's Bible story. With pictures, which was really cool. I really I wish I every once in a while I look back, I wish I kept that. But it was helping me understand where these where these stories were. So knowing that to be the case, but these stories really have become part of our culture. Children's learn them, artists paint them, movies dramatize them. However, we can know the story so well that honestly we miss the message. And let me give you an analogy on this. Have you ever taken a picture where the camera focused on the wrong thing? For example, you're taking a picture of your child and you're getting ready to take it and then the picture zooms in. Maybe on a tree limb or a flower or something else in the background. Now listen, everything else when the picture's done, everything's in the picture except the focus was wrong. The focus was on the wrong thing. And that's often what happens to these familiar Bible stories.
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Remember the details, but we miss the message they're trying to reveal. So this morning we're coming to the one of the best known stories in all scripture, Daniel and the lion's den. So as you're there, let me read to you. Let's read together. Daniel chapter Daniel chapter 6. But I want to start back just a little bit further looking at verses 30 and chapter 5. To give some context as we as we jump into this. So let's look at begin in chapter 5 of Daniel, verses 30. That very night, Belshazzar, the Shaldian king, was killed. And Darius the Med received the kingdom being about 62 years old. It pleased Darius to sit over the kingdom 120 say traps to be throughout the whole kingdom and over them three high officials of whom Daniel was one to to whom these say traps should give account. So that the king might suffer no loss.
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Then as Daniel became distinguished above all, the other high officials and say traps because an excellent spirit was in him and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Then the high officials and the say traps sought to find a ground to complaint against Daniel with regards to this to the kingdom. But they could not find no ground for complaint for any fault because he was faithful. And no heir or fault was found in him. Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God." Then these high officials and they say traps came to an agreement to the king and said to him, "Oh king Darius, live forever. All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects, and the and the say traps, the counselors, and the governors, all are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction that whoever makes petition to any God shall be cast in the den of lions." or man for 30 days except to you, oh king,
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Now king established the injunction and signed the document so that it cannot be changed according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked. Therefore, king Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in the upper chambers open towards Jerusalem. And gave thanks before his God and he had done as he had done previously. Then these men came to an agreement and found Daniel making petitions and plead before his God. Then they came near and said before the king, "Concerning the injunction, oh king, did you not sign an injunction that anyone who makes petition to any God or man within 30 days except you? Oh king, shall be cast into the lion's den. The king answered and said, "The things stand fast according to the law of the Medes and Persians which cannot be revoked." Then they answered and said before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, oh king, or the injunction you have signed,
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but makes this petition three three times a day." Then the king when heard these words was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "King, or now, oh king, that is the law of the Medes and the Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establish can be changed." Then the king commanded and Daniel was brought and cast in the den into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, "May your God whom you serve continually deliver you." And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went into his palace and spent the night fasting, no diversions were brought to him and sleep fled from him. Then at break break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared, "Daniel, oh Daniel, servant of the living God,
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has your God whom you serve continually been able to deliver you from the lions?" Then Daniel said to the king, "Oh king, live forever. My God sent his angel and shut the lion's mouth and they have not harmed me because I was found blameless before him. And also before you, oh king, I have done no harm." Then the king exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den so Daniel was taken up out of the den and no king no kind of harm was found on him because he had trusted in his God. Then the king commanded and the men who maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast in the den of lions. They, their children and their wives, before they even reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. Then king Darius wrote to all the people and nations in language that or languages that dwell in all the in all the earth , "Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in all my royal dominion
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people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel." For he is a living God enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues. He works signs and wonders and heavens and earth. He who has Daniel has saved Daniel from the power of the lions. Um, the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus and Persia. If I asked if I asked the children to draw Daniel 6, most of them would draw probably a cave um a lion. Uh maybe even Daniel praying. And that's a picture that most everyone carries as they as you hear the story. Most people will conclude after reading Daniel 6 says I need to be more like Daniel. I need to be faithful as Daniel.
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Now Daniel is certainly a wonderful example of faithfulness. And that faithfulness as we know is also celebrated in in Hebrews 11. But that's not the main point. The hero of Daniel isn't Daniel. The hero is God. The God that rules over kings, kingdoms, conspiracies, lions, and even death itself. Daniel isn't merely an example for us to imitate. He's a shadow uh for us pointing to Christ. So as we study Daniel 6 this morning, don't fix your eyes only on Daniel the king, the conspiracies, or the lions. Fix your eyes on God, the God who saves and ultimately the greater Daniel Jesus Christ. So this morning we're going to look at four points or four sections in Daniel 6. Um the first one we're going to look at verses 1 through 9. Um God sovereignly rules over the earthly kingdoms. Then we'll look at verses 10. Uh Daniel's faithful response. Then we'll look at 11 through 23. God's sovereignly preserves his servant.
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And then finally we'll look at verses 24 through 28. God's glory is proclaimed. So let's look begin with God number one. God sovereignly rules over earthly kingdoms verses 1 through 9. To look back a little bit further, let's begin let's go back to the beginning of Daniel. When you look at chapter 1, God preserves Daniel. Chapter 2, God raises up and removes kings. Chapter 3, God delivers his servants. Chapter 4, Nebuchadnezzar confesses the most high rules. Chapter 5, Babylon fell in one night. Every chapter has been echoing the same message. Earthly kingdoms rise and fall. But God's kingdom stands forever. Flip back a little bit and look at chapter Daniel chapter 4. Look at chapter Daniel chapter 4 verses 34 through 35. At the time of Nebuchadnezzar, after he kind of he regroups himself um he looks at the he says in Nebuchadnezzar says at the end of the days I Nebuchadnezzar lifted my eyes to heaven and my reason returned to me
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and I blessed the most high and praised and honored him who lives forever. Look what Nebuchadnezzar says. For his dominion is everlasting dominion and his kingdom endures from generation to generations. All the inhabitants on the earth are accounted as nothing and he does according to his will among the hosts of heavens. And among the inhabitants of the earth and none can stand in his hands or say to him what have you done? Listen. Now Babylonian have now Babylon is fallen and new empire has arrived. A new king sits on the throne. From a human perspective, everything has changed. But from God's perspective, nothing has changed. The same God who ruled Nebuchadnezzar now rules over Darius. So the question becomes now is who is Darius this mead that we see in verses 5:31 and also 6:1? I I've been really fascinated and actually been really careful but actually I did get in the weeds. But anyways, but I've been really fascinated in my research about who this guy is
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because historically there's not a lot about him. Um so of course what do I do? I call up Robert. I say, "Hey Robert, what's your take on this?" Next thing I know I got six books. Okay. Um and then he goes, "Okay, this book which is about this thick um there's 15 pages. 15 pages just on this one topic. So I figured you know what instead of putting you guys through all 15 pages I'm just going to give you the from a fair from the the three high points and who we think this person is um could serve as scholars have suggested there's several possibilities. Um the first one is that he may have been another name for a title um uh for Cyrus. So for example like we think about Pharaoh, right? It's a title. Um that was given to him. Um the second one is that this Darius is actually the governor of governor Gobirus. Um who administered Babylon after the fall
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um and the third one is that it's a Median ruler appointed by Cyrus. I I really don't know. The point of all this is you're probably sitting on the edge of your seat. Who is this guy? Um I mean I I think I probably go with the second one as the governor. But the purpose of this isn't to answer Daniel's purpose isn't to answer the historical question. Um Daniel's concern is more theological than historical. But so here's the thing though. Kings come and go. But God remains on his throne. We look at Daniel 2 2:21. It says he changes times and seasons. He removes kings and establishes kings. But listen, most people would expect that Daniel's influence would come to an end. But let's look at verses 1 and 2. It pleased Darius to set over the king 120 say traps to be throughout the whole kingdom and over them three high officials whom Daniel was one to whom these say traps should give account. So the king might suffer no loss. Okay. The say traps were territorial rulers.
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Um that were put over this kingdom. It was very common with the with the mead Persians. Um this was this was a standard um process in which where where they where they were. And then what they did is they had high three officials um the actual if you look at it from a translational perspective um it's actually mean he's is actually called the president. Um so there's three presidents that were put over that. So one of these is interesting to see here is that Daniel was one of them. Um that was put over these say traps. So Daniel was chosen to be one of the leaders. Um Daniel was chosen and preferred over everyone else. But then notice what says in chapter in verses 3. It says that he wasn't he was excellent spirit was in him and excellent spirit was in him. Um this was actually the same phrase that we see from Belshazzar's mother in chapter 5. If you just flip back and look at chapter 5 um verses 11 of Daniel it says that there's a man in your kingdom
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in whom his whom is the spirit of the holy gods and the days of your father light and understanding and wisdom like the wisdom of the gods were found in him and like king Nebuchadnezzar your father your father the king made him chief of the magicians the enchanters the chaldeans and the astrologers because of an excellent spirit knowledge and understanding to interpret dreams explain riddles and solve problems were found in Daniel whom the king named Belshazzar now let Daniel be called and he will show the the show the interpretation. So so this phrase is referencing Daniel's character. Um his attitude. Everywhere Daniel went he carried himself with integrity, humility, and faithfulness. But Daniel's reputation wasn't just built on his attitude alone. Um he would he had decades of experience serving governments. Um and just as we just read um he had wisdom or knowledge that set him apart from everyone else around him. Um he understood history um he was a proven leader. He could be trusted with great responsibility.
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On top of that God gave him a unique ability to interpret dreams and visions. Um revealing God was not what was God was planning on doing in the future um and that made Daniel an an invaluable advisor and king. But Daniel wasn't promoted because of his political connections. He spent decades in demonstrating integrity, wisdom, competence, and faithfulness. More importantly, God was the one that gave him those gifts and moved in the heart of Darius um to recognize him. And that's encouragement true for us today. Of God's sovereignty isn't just limited to history. Um it's just as true as we is in our lives today. And that's how God works. And and I've learned this personally. Um throughout my career there were opportunities I prayed for and I believed that I was ready to receive um one interview stands out to me because uh I was told that I didn't get the job because I was too nice um but you know at the time listen it was I felt really disappointed. I thought it was really unfair. But you know looking back
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I can now see what I couldn't see then. God wasn't withholding something good for me. He was directing my path. Um the position that I did not receive was just as much under God's sovereign control as the positions that I did eventually receive. Maybe your story isn't about a job . Maybe it's about a college that you want to attend but you couldn't. Um maybe it's about a relationship that ended um maybe it's about a diagnosis you never expected. Um maybe it's about those um it was a loss of someone that you deeply loved. Maybe it's about a ministry opportunity that never materialized or perhaps even now you're still waiting to God open the door that seems firmly closed. Whatever your circumstances the temptation is always the same. To believe that someone else or something else is ultimately controlling our future. But Daniel reminds us that's never true. Your life has never been rested in the hands of a boss a doctor a government
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another person or even your own plans. It has always rested in the hands of a sovereign God. If he opens a door no one can shut it. And if he closes a door it's never because God has stopped being God or God has stopped being good. It's because his wisdom is greater than ours and his purposes are better than anything else we can ever design for ourselves. So Daniel wasn't in a position of influence because he campaigned for it. He was there because God placed him there for a purpose. And that same God who directed Daniel's life is directing yours and mine as well. Our responsibility isn't to force open doors. Our responsibility is to be faithful where God has placed us and trust him with the results that he gives us. So let's look at verses 4 through 6. 4 through 6.
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Then the high officials and they say traps sought to find a ground for complaining against Daniel with regard to the kingdom. But they could not find no ground or for complaint or any fault because he was faithful. And no error or fault was found in him. Then these men we shall not find any ground or complaint against this Daniel unless we find a connection with the law. God is sovereign not only over promotions but also over persecution. Um the same God who placed Daniel in authority also the plot against him and God did it for his glory. Um after Daniel was promoted it didn't take long for oppositions to show to show up. Um isn't that also how it always works? Now when God is at work in someone's life don't be surprised when there is resistance. The enemy does not mind when we are comfortable or ineffective. But when God begins using someone for his purpose opposition off of often follows.
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And look at verses 4 says the officials sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel. They started digging through his life looking for anything that they could find against him. They searched his decisions his character and his leadership. But what did they find? Nothing. They found absolutely nothing. Daniel has served listen to this nearly 70 years. Near 70 years under multiple kings and they could not find one example of corruption dishonesty or neglect. That's an incredible testimony. For us to listen to to to be aware of. But also understand Daniel was not perfect. But he was faithful. But then here comes one of the greatest compliments anyone can ever receive. Look in verses 5. They finally have to admit this. We will never find any basis for a charge against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.
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In other words the only way we're going to trap him is through his faith through his faith. I want to pause a minute. Can you imagine that being said about you? Can you imagine that being said about you? If someone wanted to accuse you what would they find? Would they have to say the only the only thing that we have against him is that he loves Jesus and refuses to compromise. That is our goal. That's what we should be striving to do. Live for each and every day. And that's exactly Peter tells in 1 Peter 3:16 he says having good conscience so that when you are slandered those who revolt you your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame. For it is better to suffer for doing good if that should be God's will than for doing evil. Daniel reminds us that the faithfulness doesn't always have to keep us from trouble.
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Sometimes faithfulness is what brings the trouble. But even then God is still in control. Remember none of this caught God off by surprise. The plot against Daniel was not outside of God's plan or his will. God was using every jealousy every lie every conspiracy to compass his purpose and his purpose alone for what to display his glory. Verses 6 through 9 since then um since they could not find any fault in Daniel these men chart change their strategy. Um if they couldn't attack Daniel then they would exploit the king's pride. Every temptation succeeds because it appeals to something already in the heart. Think about this. Think about Nebuchadnezzar. What was it? He was pride. Belshazzar it was arrogance. Darius it was the desire to be exalted. Sin changes the appearance. But it rarely changes the strategy.
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Yet even pride of kings cannot frustrate God's purpose. The very decree intended to destroy Daniel would become the stage upon which God displays his glory. So they came to Daniel or excuse me they came to Darius with flattery and deception. Now notice what they say in verses 7. All the high officials are have agreed. I think it's funny because we know that's not true. All all high officials did not because who did not who would not have agreed and who was the high official? Daniel. So that's clearly wasn't true. This was a very carefully planned scheme designed to to appeal to the king's ego. So imagine this. Imagine seeing billboards all over Babylon saying that um it says that 30 days of Darius 30 days of Darius 30 days of Darius this was essentially the decree and Darius took the bait. So we've seen this again as I just mentioned earlier in the book of uh in the book of Daniel never Nebuchadnezzar built a golden image
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and demanded worship because of his pride and high view of himself. Now Darius though is a little bit different. Falls in the same trap. He enjoys the praise the attention the idea of the entire kingdom who would look to him above everyone else. Pride has always been a temptation for earthly rulers because pride seeks to take the place where belong where God belongs alone. What's amazing that even the pride of the kings is still under God's sovereign control. Darius thought he was making an independent decision but God was working through these events to accomplish even a greater purpose. The plot the decree and even the king's pride would never become the very means God would use to display his power and preserve his servant. Once again the book of Daniel reminds us that earthly rulers may think they're in control but there is only one true true king who rules all over all over kingdoms. Isaiah 40:15 says behold the nations are like a drop from a bucket
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and are accounted as the dust of the scales behold he takes up the coastland like a fine dust. So what do we learn from these opening verses? What we've learned is that God raises kingdoms God removes kingdoms God appoints leaders God permits opposition and God even uses sinful decisions to accomplish his perfect will. Nothing in Daniel 6 is random. Listen nothing in Daniel 6 is random. Before Daniel ever even entered the lion's den God had already was already ruling over every detail that would lead him there. So let's look at verses 10. Number point number two. Daniel's faithful response. Daniel's faithful response. The decree has been signed. Daniel knows exactly what it means.
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And humanly speaking Daniel's life is over. So how does he respond? This what's this is what makes verses 10 so remarkable there is no panic there is no outrage remember there's no Daniel run into the king who is very high up and saying hey this group of people they're a bunch of liars they're a bunch of liars they have they have duped you into something that's not true. Daniel didn't do that. What did Daniel do? Look at verses 10. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed he went to his house where he had windows in the upper chamber open towards Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he had done previously. I love that last five words there. As he has done previously. Daniel did not become a man of prayer because of the crisis.
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The crisis simply exposed what years of walking with God had already produced. He refused to allow the king's command to replace God's commands. Acts 5:29 said we must obey God rather than man. Whenever a human authority commands what God forbids or forbids what God commands our ultimate allegiance must always belong to God. Daniel could have found a hundred excuses excuse me what could he have done? He could have closed the windows. He could have prayed silently. He could have waited 30 days. But even but every one of those choices would have allowed fear not faith to determine his obedience. Why could Daniel respond with such calm confidence? Because he believed that the decree of Darius was never greater than the sovereign rule of God.
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Daniel understood something Darius did not. King's issues decrees but God rules kings. Therefore Daniel's life wasn't ultimately in Darius's hands. Daniel's life was safely in God's hands. I love Isaiah 40:11. He will tend to his flock like a shepherd. He will gather the lambs in his arms. He will carry them in his bosom and gently lead those that are with young. That's where courageous obedience is born. It isn't born from self-confidence. It isn't born from human determination. It isn't born from it's born from confidence in a sovereign God who reigns over every king every government every circumstance and every trial. Listen most of us will never be threatened like that to be thrown into the lion's den. But I want you to think about this.
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Every day we face opportunities to compromise. Sometimes it's remaining silent. When we should speak. Sometimes we'll be challenged to compromise our integrity and beliefs at work. Sometimes it's standing for biblical truth when it's unpopular. Sometimes it's simply choosing faithfulness in the ordinary routines of life. Daniel didn't suddenly become faithful when the decree was signed. He was already faithful. Verse 10 said that he prayed and gave thanks to God as he had done previously. Also this crisis didn't create Daniel's faithfulness. It just revealed it. What Daniel did in the lion's den was rooted in what Daniel had already been doing long before he ever entered the lion's den. And that's important reminder for us today. The faith we need in extraordinary moments is often cultivated through ordinary obedience long before the crisis comes. Do you understand that?
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The faith that we need in extraordinary moments is often cultivated through ordinary obedience long before the crisis comes. That's why we need to be in God's word. That's why we need to be in prayer. Daniel spent decades faithfully walking with God. His lifelong habits of prayer kept him near the one who provided comfort confidence and peace. And that should be an example for us. Our desire is that are we more like Christ than we were yesterday? That is our prayer. That's our desire. That's why we need to be studying the word of God. Because it will help us during these times of crisis. It will also it will help us strengthen our faith in times of need. So let's look at number three. Number three. Verses 11 through 23. God's sovereignly preserves his servant. God sovereignly preserves his servant. Now the plot begins to unfold. The officials have been watching Daniel because they knew exactly where his greatest loyalty lay. What an amazing testimony, right?
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As expected, they saw him praying and they immediately hurried back to the king. In the look of verses 11, and 12, they said, "Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea for his God. Then they came near and said before the king concerning the injunction." Okay. This happened fast. Okay. This wasn't like, oh, we're just watching and praying. They were camped out because they knew they knew Daniel would be praying. When they saw him praying, they ran. They ran right to the king. They came and then they said to the king, "Oh king, did you not sign an injunction that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within 30 days except you, oh king, shall be cast in the lion's den?" So I just picture it, right? This king sitting back. Yeah. Yeah. You know, bring it on. Type right. Bring it on. And then the king answered and said, "The things stand fast according to the law of the meads and the Persians, which cannot be revoked." And then look at verses 13. Then they answered and said before the king,
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"Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, oh king, or the injunction you may have signed or that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day. They remind Darius of the law that he had signed and then accused Daniel of violating it. What began as a plot against Daniel now becomes a problem for the king himself. Darius realized that he has been manipulated but according to the law of the meads and the Persians, this decree cannot be reversed by anyone. Then we see in verses 16, Daniel is brought to the lion's den. The king declared to Daniel, "May your god, whom you serve continually, deliver you. May your god, whom you serve continually, deliver you." I love that statement. Think about what Daniel's saying. Your god, whom you can serve continually.
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How did this pagan king know that? How did this pagan king know that this god that Daniel's talking about Daniel didn't have to advertise his faith. He didn't need to remind everyone how spiritual he was. His life consistently pointed pointed people to the god. The satraps knew it. The administrators knew it. And even the king knew it. For more than 70 years, Daniel had faithfully served God. And then look, the word continually is key here. Daniel didn't serve only when life was easy or when obedience was safe. Under Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, and now Darius the king, the kings change. Kingdoms change. Empires change. But Daniel's devotion to God never changed. Then notice something remarkable that we see here. Darius doesn't say, "Daniel, I hope you survive." He says this, "May your god deliver you." Even this pagan king understood that that if Daniel survived the night,
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it would not be because Daniel was courageous. It would be because Daniel's god was powerful. Throughout history, many have tried to explain away what happened that night when Daniel's put into the lion's den. It's actually kind of funny, but they come and say they make claims that the lions were not hungry. Other argues that now those lions were. They're just old and tame. Others say that when Daniel filmed the pit, there's this little corner over here they do because hide in, you know, that they that the lions couldn't be able to get to them. Some others still, some others just take Daniel and say this whole thing, this was just a legend. It never happened. Every one of these examples has the same goal. To remove the hand of God from the story. Yet the text leaves no room for that conclusion.
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And now there's something fascinating that happens if this was a movie. You would expect that the cameras would stay inside the lion's den. Right? They'd be going like, "What's Daniel doing?" Right? Did he pray? You know, what's going on? What were the lions doing? What happened inside that den? But that's not where the Holy Spirit takes us in this passage. Instead, the cameras shift. Shift right back to the palace. Which is very interesting. Look at verses 18. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him and sleep fell from him. The man that possesses all the power and the kingdom was completely helpless. He couldn't eat. He couldn't sleep. He didn't want music. He didn't want entertainment. But then at daybreak, look at verses 19. The king arose and went in haste to the dens of lion
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This king who is powerful over all this area that word haste means he's running. Okay. is now can't sleep, can't eat. And now he's running, running to this to the to to this lion's den. I want you to picture this. I want you to picture of this king running to this Daniel, to to be able to see if Daniel's god really is who Daniel's claimed him to be. Then listen to what verse look at verses 20 and what Darius calls it Daniel. He says, "As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a loud tone of anguish. Darius emotional state is evident here. Despite it being a king, he showed genuine distress indicating a respect and affection for Daniel. This reflects the king's internal conflict between the decree and and Daniel. Really highlighting the human element of his leadership and governance. But then comes a question that's been building throughout this entire chapter. Look at what it says.
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Has your god whom you serve continually been able to deliver you from the lions? Wow. Again, what an amazing statement. Has your god has your god whom you serve who you've served continually? But then look at verses 22, how Daniel answers. He says, "My god sent his angel and shut the lion's mouth. And they have not harmed me because I was found blameless before him and also before you, O king. I have done no harm." Don't miss this, y'all. Don't miss where Daniel places his focus he doesn't say, "Hey, I survived. I'm good. Look at me. What does he say? Daniel Mia says, "My god sent his angel Daniel immediately gives all the glory to God. The lions were still lions. And in just a few verses we'll see how deadly they are actually are.
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But even the lions could do nothing apart from God's permission. God shut their mouths. God preserved his servant. And verses 23 beautifully summarizes the entire entire chapter. No kind of harm was found on him because he had trusted his god. Notice what the text doesn't say. It doesn't say Daniel trusted himself. It doesn't say Daniel trusted in his own courage. It doesn't say Daniel trusted in his own righteousness. His confidence rested entirely into a sovereign god who rules over kings lions and every circumstances of life. Now listen, we need to be careful not to draw the wrong conclusion here. Daniel 6 is not teaching us that faithfulness delivers delivers believers are always delivered from suffering. Many of God's faithful servants were not. Right. What happened to Isaiah? Saw and ended too.
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What happened to Peter? Crucified. What happened to Paul? Beheaded. What happened to Stephen? Which rich he read this morning. He was stoned. Faith does not guarantee earthly deliverance. What is guaranteed is that our lives are always in the hands of a sovereign god. Sometimes he delivers his people from death. Sometimes he delivers them through death into his presence. Again, as we read this morning in Acts. But in any other cases, God never abandons his people and his purpose is never fail. That is why Daniel could trust God. And that is why we can trust him today. What security to know that God is our great protector? Psalms 91:4. If you want to turn there. Psalms 91 verses 1 through 4. Verse 1. It says, "He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty.
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I will say to the Lord, my refuge and my fortress, my God in whom I trust." For I will deliver you from the snares of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions and under his wings you will find refuge. He is faithful. His faithfulness is a shield and a buckler. What encouragement to know that God is our great protector. Just as he was with Daniel, just as he was these other men of faith, he's the same as he was before, as he is today. So let's look at our final point. Our final point. Look in verses turn back and looking back at Daniel. Verses 24 through 28. Excuse me. God's glory is proclaimed. God's glory is proclaimed. Verses 24 reminds us that God is not only God of mercy. He's also a God of justice. The very men who maliciously accused Daniel were thrown into lion's den.
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I wonder how hungry these lions were because look what it says. Before they even reached the bottom, the lions overpowered them. Right. The lions were not weak. They were not tame. God had simply restrained them for his own purpose. Then the scene changes. Instead of another decree from Darius, We see him a decree exalting the living God. we hear a decree from King Darius. Daniel's rescue was never the end of the story. God's glory is early in the chapter. Darius signed a decree that exalted himself. And attempted to silence prayer. Now the very same king sends a decree throughout the in the entire empire calling every nation, people, and languages to what? To fear the God of Daniel. That's what God does. That's what God does. He overrules the plans of sinful men
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so that his glory will be proclaimed among the nations. I'm super excited because as we begin, as we leave in Genesis, we'll have an opportunity to start looking at Revelation. And that's the ultimate end of the story. We will have eternal life for those who have faith and believe in Jesus Christ as your Lord and Savior. To be have eternal glory. Not here on earth. Not following kings. Not following presidents. Not being part of this world. And then notice what Darius declares. We're going to look at three subpoints. As we as we pulling all this together, three subpoints of what Darius acclaims. The first one is in verses 26. God is the living and eternal king. God is the living and eternal king. Look at what Darius proclaims in verses 26. I make a decree that in all my royal dominion people are able to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed
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and his dominion shall be to the end. What an incredible confession from a pagan king. Darius has watched kingdoms rise and kingdoms fall. Every earthly kingdom has an expiration date. Every earthly ruler has an expiration date. But the God of Daniel, our God, is a living and eternal God. His kingdom will never be destroyed because he his reign never ends. And that is where our confidence must rest. Not in presidents, not in the government, not in this world, but in a sovereign king who reigns forever. Psalm 118, 8 through 9 says, "It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in man. It is better to take refuge in the Lord than to trust in princesses and princes number two." Number two. That's a subpoint in verses 27. God is a mighty deliverer. God is a mighty deliverer.
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Darius continues in verses 27. It says, "He delivers and rescues. He works signs and wonders in heavens and on earth. He who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions." Daniel was not preserved because he was clever, influential, or courageous. He was preserved because God intervened. It was because of God's sovereign will. But Daniel's deliverance points beyond itself. It points to something even greater. Daniel entered a place that looked like a tomb, a stone was rolled over its entrance and it's sealed by the governmental authority. At daybreak, the king hurried to the den and found Daniel Daniel alive because God had delivered him. That scene itself prepares us for even a greater deliverer. Jesus Christ, the perfect righteous one. Was never merely threatened by death. He willingly died.
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His place in a tomb, a stone was rolled across his entrance. It was sealed by earthly authorities. But on the third day of daybreak, the stone was rolled away. Not so Jesus could escape. But so the world could see that the death itself had been defeated. Daniel was spared from death. Jesus passed through death and conquered it. Daniel needed to be rescued. Jesus became our rescuer. Daniel's rescue preserved one faithful servant. Christ's resurrection secured eternal life for everyone who places their faith in him. The God who delivers the God who delivered Daniel is the same God who through the death and resurrection of his son Jesus Christ had delivered us from the greatest enemy enemy of all sin, death, and the grave. As Hebrews 2:4 2:14 through 15 says, "Christ shared in our humanity that through the death he might destroy the one who has the power over death. And deliver all those who through fear of death were subject to lifelong slavery."
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Daniel was delivered from the lions. For but for those who had placed their faith in Jesus Christ, we have been delivered from something far greater. Far greater. The third and final point. Look at verses 28. Look at verses 28. God vindicates those who trust him. God vindicates those who trust him. The chapter closes simply. So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persians. God vindicated his servant. Daniel never chased promotions. He pursued faithfulness. He left the results in God's hands. Just as James 4:10 reminds us, "Humble yourself before the Lord, and he will exalt you." God's timing isn't always our timing, but his faithfulness but his faithfulness never fails. Sometimes he vindicates his people in this life but ultimately he will vindicate
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every believer in his eternal kingdom. The message of Daniel 6 is both encouraging and also powerful. Yes, we are called to be faithful and obedient to our holy God. Even when faithfulness could be costly. But in this chapter, it's not ultimately about the courage of Daniel. It's about the glory of God. The sovereign king who rules over every kingdom preserves his servant and proclaims his own name among the nations. Daniel's deliverance was never the end of the story. It was the means by which God made his name known. Darius and all of his power declared, "He is a living God. His kingdom shall never be destroyed. He delivers and rescues. His work and signs are wonders." That proclamation doesn't simply bring Daniel 6 to a close. It sets the stage for the rest of the book. And reminds us that God's purpose is always been bigger than Daniel.
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Again, ultimately, that God that that should point us to Jesus Christ. So don't leave here today. Simply admiring Daniel. Leave here worshiping a holy and mighty God a living God who still reigns who still rescues who has accomplished the greatest rescue the world has ever known through his son. If you've never trusted in Christ as your Lord and Savior, today is the day. The God who shut the mouths of the lions is the same living God who still saves sinners through Jesus Christ. His kingdom never fails. His promises never fail. His salvation is available to all who come to him and by faith. One day every knee will bow. Every tongue will confess that Jesus Christ is the Lord to the glory of the God of the Father. Until that day, let us remain faithful to the risen Christ for his kingdom is cannot be destroyed. His dominion shall never end. And he alone is worthy of our trust
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our worship and our lives. Let's pray. Dear heavenly Father, Lord, as we come to the end of this chapter, may it not be forgotten of how this has just set up for your ultimate purpose and your ultimate will. For the Savior Jesus Christ to be able to come to this world as both man as in God to go through persecution to go through the to the beatings to die on the cross to shed his blood and ultimately to rise on the third day to give us a new life and new hope and so Lord as we continue as we look
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at this uh wonderful book this morning yes Daniel was faithful and yes Daniel is a great example of of living a faithful life and should be a desire for each one of us but ultimately it's only because of you and putting his trust upon you understanding that you are the one that's control of all things you are the one that raises up kings and brings down kingdoms you are the one that gives us eternal life and hope and so Lord may our trust not be into this world but may our trust be upon you and you alone so thank you Lord for this time that you've been able to bring us together to be able to study and dig deeper into your word and may your glory be be seen throughout this not only um throughout just today but may that be an example of who we are and how we live each and every day as we move forward. So again Lord thank you for the sweet time that you've allowed us to be together and we ask all in Christ's name amen.
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So as we come to this morning if you're able to stand how sweet we're looking at um verses or hymn number 350 350 if able to stand please stand oh excuse me 286 I'm sorry I'm sorry 286 beneath the cross and
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the cross
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you have the cross of Jesus the cross of Jesus the c ross of Jes
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us thank you what a beautiful song so for our benediction um this morning be looking at Romans 15 may the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace and believing so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope may the God of peace be with you all amen you're dismissed