12 Jul (Daniel 6)

Daniel 6

(v.2) Daniel and his friends are in charge of all the satraps (princes) assigned to govern the small things and keep order.

(v.3) Since Daniel was elevated to be second in command, the princes were not happy. Daniel rose to power by his honor, much like Joseph did with Potiphar and Pharaoh. Gen 41

(v.4) That is a goal all of us should have, that even our enemies can't say anything bad about us! What a witness!

(v.9) Since they couldn't find fault in Daniel, they used his faithfulness against him. This reminds me of the Islamic terrorists who use our freedom against us, and attack us because we allow freedom and free will.

(v.10) Notice that Daniel knew of this decree, yet he went and prayed anyways. As Jesus said in Matt 22:21 that we should obey man's laws. But there is a point where man's laws force us to disobey God, and we should always stick with God's Word when faced with that dilemma.

We also see that Daniel was a man of prayer...I try to pray many times a day, and I feel that the more I pray (sometimes just a few words or sentences) I am more conscious of God's presence.

(v.14) The king realized he was tricked, and worried about the fate of Daniel.

(v.16) This reminds me of Nebby, where this king Darius admired and liked Daniel as well. Like Nebby, Darius had come to know God, and he knew that God would protect Daniel.

(v.18) Just as we trust in God, we need to fast and pray for His protection...Darius is a good example to us.

(v.21) If we are His, we are in His care and protection. Of course, many faithful servants have died martyrs, but that's because God wanted to use that martyr to influence others. We need to remember what Daniel's friends said in chapter 3, and know that God can protect us, and if He doesn't, it's because He has bigger plans for us.

(v.26) Darius makes a decree much like Nebby did, proclaiming Daniel's faith, and praising the living God who's dominion shall endure to the end.