Daniel 6

1. Last week, I had the opportunity to visit South Korea to lead the funeral service for Minju’s dear uncle. Though he was not a believer for most of his life, he accepted the Lord just two days before his passing. During my stay, my mother-in-law and I visited a church with the uncle’s immediate family. Our goal was to encourage them to attend church more regularly. This entire journey showed us how profoundly God has been working in our family and how clearly He has answered my mother-in-law’s persistent prayers. Thank you for allowing me to be present and to lead that service. 

2. During the past week, I’ve been reflecting deeply on the true meaning of evangelism for those who have yet to know Jesus. Too often, we focus only on sharing a doctrine or the knowledge of Christ. Yet, experience clearly shows us that when we rely on sharing only these intellectual facts, our efforts to share the Gospel often fall short. Honestly, sharing the Gospel is far more than that. It is fundamentally about sharing the new life we find in Christ. Last week, we heard from Dion, who shared the inspiring faith of Daniel’s three friends. Today, I want to shift our focus to Daniel himself and his unwavering faith. Specifically, we will look at how his story and his life exemplified a way of sharing God’s love and grace without saying a word. Let us now turn to Daniel, Chapter 6:6-10.

Daniel 6:6–8 NASB 2020

Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever! All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors, have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who offers a prayer to any god or person besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it will not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.”

Daniel 6:9–10 NASB 2020

Thereupon, King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. Now when Daniel learned that the document was signed, he entered his house (and in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and offering praise before his God, just as he had been doing previously.

3. When we read the Bible, it's helpful to know the background and situation of the text for proper understanding. The Book of Daniel covers two distinct historical periods. Chapter 3 is set during the Babylonian Empire, and Chapter 6 is set during the Medo-Persian Empire. Both of these powerful nations conquered Israel and Judah, making them mere provinces. As a result, the people of God lost their land, country, and rights, including the freedom to practice their religion. In that era, religion wasn't separate from the state; it was integrated into the political system and government. Since Babylon and Persia did not worship Yahweh, the people of Israel and Judah were severely restricted from proper worship.

4. Daniel chapter 6 takes place during a major transition in the ancient Near East. It follows the fall of Babylon in 539 BC, when the Medo-Persian Empire took control. This event fulfills the prophetic shift from Nebuchadnezzar's "head of gold" to the "arms of silver" described in Daniel 2, marking the end of Babylonian power. Daniel, now in his early eighties, had already served faithfully for about seventy years across multiple kingdoms. He once again found himself in a position of extraordinary influence under Darius the Mede. King Cyrus had appointed Darius to establish control over the former Babylonian territories. Darius organized his vast kingdom by using 120 provincial governors, or satraps, overseen by three chief administrators. Daniel, because of his "excellent spirit" and proven integrity, was chosen as the chief administrator. His skills and exceptional character so impressed King Darius that the king planned to set him over the entire realm. This decision, however, sparked intense jealousy among the other officials, who immediately began searching for grounds to bring charges against him.

5. Unable to find any corruption or negligence in Daniel's official duties, his enemies realized their only option was to exploit his unwavering religious devotion. They admitted, "We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God." They then manipulated the anguished King Darius into signing a decree that could not be revoked, forbidding prayer to anyone except the king for thirty days. They knew Daniel's custom: he consistently prayed three times a day, openly, with his windows facing Jerusalem. When the decree was signed, Daniel continued his normal practice without modification, demonstrating consistency in crisis, courage over compromise, and thanksgiving even amidst trials. Consequently, he was caught and the king, deeply regretful, had him thrown into the lions' den. God, however, miraculously preserved Daniel. His angel shut the lions' mouths. When the king rushed to the den at dawn, he found Daniel completely unharmed. Swift divine justice followed: Daniel's accusers and their families were devoured by the same lions. King Darius then issued a kingdom-wide decree, acknowledging the sovereignty of Daniel's God as "the living God" whose "kingdom shall not be destroyed" and whose "dominion shall be even to the end." This remarkable story concludes the historical narrative of Daniel. It powerfully demonstrates how faithful witness through consistent character can impact entire kingdoms, offering a strong model for believers living as exiles in an increasingly hostile world.

6. The story of Daniel in the lions' den offers three vital lessons we must learn and apply to our lives.

1. Consistency in Crisis: Keeping Consistency in an Unseen Situation

6-1 Let's begin by examining Daniel's powerful lesson on Consistency in Crisis. Even though Daniel held one of the highest governmental positions in Medo-Persia, he had no fundamental freedom because of his identity. He was, in essence, a refugee of Judah, an exile living under foreign rule. This status meant his situation was inherently unseen and unstable. Despite serving faithfully for over seventy years across multiple empires, he remained fundamentally displaced, lacking the basic religious freedoms his ancestors enjoyed. His faith was practiced in hostile territory, which makes his consistency all the more remarkable. The most striking aspect of Daniel’s faith is this unwavering consistency. The decree was public, and the danger was immediate. Yet, Daniel did not change his prayer habit, not even in private. He didn't close his windows; he didn't pray silently in a hidden room. He maintained his routine "as he had done before."

This teaches us that true faithfulness is not mere public performance; it's our unmodified discipline even when no one is watching. As Scripture reminds us, "The integrity of the upright shall guide them" (Proverbs 11:3). 

Proverbs 11:3 ESV

The integrity of the upright guides them, but the crookedness of the treacherous destroys them.

6-2 Daniel exemplified this perfectly. His enemies could only attack him through "the law of his God" because his consistency was so well-known—they could predict his response. Our spiritual habits—Bible reading, prayer, and devotion—must be so ingrained that a crisis doesn't cause us to question or change them. As 1 Timothy 4:8 states, "godliness is of value in every way, as it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come." Daniel’s three-times-daily prayer routine demonstrated this eternal perspective. His faithfulness in those unseen moments revealed his true character, for, as the saying goes, "character is what you are in the dark." We are encouraged to "be steadfast, immovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord." Daniel’s story reminds us that our private spiritual disciplines are what truly prepare us for public tests of faith.

1 Corinthians 15:58 NLT

So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

2. Integrity Over Expectation: Living Faithfully Even When Situations Don't Match Expectations

7-1 Let's now consider the second vital lesson from Daniel 6: Integrity Over Expectation. Daniel had already served God faithfully for decades, even in a dark and unstable situation. He was a chief administrator who had earned respect. Based on human logic, one might expect that a life of such devotion should lead to peace and protection. Instead, his faithfulness led him directly to the lions' den. This outcome serves as a powerful reminder that godly faithfulness is not a guarantee of worldly comfort or ease. Jesus Himself taught, "In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). Daniel’s story illustrates a crucial truth: God's goodness is not measured by our comfort, but by His unchangeable character. The Bible consistently teaches that obedience to God can sometimes make life harder, not easier. Daniel’s experience echoes the truth found in 1 Peter 4:1: 

1 Peter 4:1 ESV

Since therefore Christ suffered in the flesh, arm yourselves with the same way of thinking, for whoever has suffered in the flesh has ceased from sin

7-2 His faithfulness meant trusting and obeying God even when his obedience led him into trials, not around them. As Proverbs 3:5 reminds us, "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding." Daniel perfectly exemplified this by refusing to rationalize his way out of the predicament or compromise his convictions to avoid suffering. Our ultimate purpose as believers is not to control the outcome but to remain loyal to the one who controls all outcomes. Daniel's integrity was most evident because he held to biblical convictions that were counter-cultural. His enemies could find no fault in his character except "something to do with the law of his God," demonstrating that his faithfulness was not contingent on favorable circumstances. The apostle Paul understood this principle, writing,  1 Peter 2:21

1 Peter 2:21 NLT

For God called you to do good, even if it means suffering, just as Christ suffered for you. He is your example, and you must follow in his steps.

7-3 Daniel's reward was not avoiding the den; his reward was the presence of God in the den. This truth reflects the biblical principle that God's desire is not to give us a life of comfort, but to be our comfort. As Isaiah 43:2 promises, "When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you." Daniel discovered that God's faithfulness surpasses human weakness, and that His presence transforms our trials into testimonies. The story concludes not just with Daniel's vindication, but with King Darius proclaiming the sovereignty of Daniel's God throughout the entire kingdom—a result that could only have come through Daniel's willingness to trust God's plan over his own expectations.

3. The Unseen Hand: God Working Through His People Without Completely Changing Situations

8-1 Finally, let us consider the third, powerful lesson from Daniel 6: The Unseen Hand: God Working Through the Situation. Notice that God did not simply remove Daniel from the situation. He didn't make the king change his mind before signing the decree, nor did He make the lions disappear. Instead, God worked through the situation. He preserved Daniel in the den by shutting the lions' mouths. This demonstrates a key principle: God often chooses to work within the constraints of our reality rather than eliminating them entirely. The miracle was not the absence of the trial, but the presence of the Deliverer. As Daniel testified to King Darius, "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight." God's intervention came not by preventing Daniel from entering the den, but by protecting him within it. This reflects a profound theological truth: "God's presence in the trial is much better than exemption from the trial." 

8-2 The Lord's presence is never sweeter than in moments of greatest difficulty, when human resources fail and divine power becomes our only hope. God uses His people's faithful witness—their courage to face the den—to bring about a greater kingdom impact. Daniel's willingness to trust God, even in the face of death, became the very instrument through which God demonstrated His power to an entire empire. The story concludes with King Darius issuing a kingdom-wide decree: "I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed." This proclamation reached "all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth," demonstrating how God's work through Daniel's trial had a far greater impact than if Daniel had simply been spared the ordeal. The miracle resulted in a kingdom-wide proclamation of God's sovereignty. What began as a plot to destroy one faithful man became the means by which the true God was proclaimed throughout the known world. As Scripture teaches us, Romans 8:28.

Romans 8:28 NASB 2020

And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.

8-3 Our faithful living, even in hardship, becomes God's most powerful testimony to the world. When believers maintain their integrity and trust in God despite persecution, it creates a witness that no human argument could achieve. The principle remains true today: God often works through our trials rather than around them, using our faithful endurance as His means of revealing His glory to a watching world.

9. As I prepared this message, the truth of Daniel's story became deeply personal. Just last week, because of an unexpected funeral, I traveled to South Korea to lead the service for my wife’s close uncle. The grief was profound because it happened so quickly—less than a month after his liver cancer diagnosis. No one, including the family, expected me to be there to lead the funeral. But God provided this remarkable opportunity for me to be present and to share His love and comfort through the service. In fact, our lives are continually encircled by unseen circumstances that we simply cannot control. And when I visited my mother after the funeral, I realized another unseen situation was unfolding: she needed medical treatment because she had started losing her memory. My sister is understandably worried. While I was preparing this very sermon, with my mother making breakfast right beside me, I realized that this message was for me. God wanted to encourage me through this difficult, unseen season. Like Daniel, I cannot change or control my circumstances, but I can adopt the attitude of mind that he and his friends had. I can keep my life consistent and continue to believe in God with unwavering faith. I can keep living under God's faithful guidance. Why? Because I do not know the time or the season of my life's trials. But one thing I do know is that the Holy Spirit has been guiding and sustaining me. That is why I am here. That is why I can continue to serve the Lord, just as Daniel did. Therefore, let us not lose heart or abandon  our commitment to the Lord. Our situation cannot lead us to despair. Our circumstances cannot destroy our hope in Christ, because we are His children, and God is our Father. Praise the Lord.

Podcast: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/4a1d5068-f25f-43cf-8718-1a379a447c58?artifactId=f5ce60d7-e0d8-472d-a64c-5ec81840346f

Video overview: https://notebooklm.google.com/notebook/4a1d5068-f25f-43cf-8718-1a379a447c58?artifactId=ab279812-f1e1-4e06-97ae-c1b66c0f9211

Quiz: Short-Answer Questions

Instructions: Based on the source text, answer the following questions in two to three complete sentences.

1. What were the two distinct historical periods covered in the Book of Daniel, and what was the status of the people of God during these times?

2. Describe Daniel's position in the Medo-Persian Empire and explain why it provoked jealousy among other officials.

3. How did Daniel's enemies devise a plan to entrap him, and what did this plan reveal about their perception of his character?

4. When Daniel learned that the decree had been signed, how did he respond, and what does his response demonstrate?

5. Explain the lesson of "Consistency in Crisis," using the details of Daniel's prayer habits as an example.

6. What is the core message of the lesson "Integrity Over Expectation," and how does Daniel's experience in the lions' den illustrate this principle?

7. According to the lesson on "The Unseen Hand," how did God intervene in Daniel's situation, and what does this show about how God often works?

8. What was the ultimate outcome of Daniel being saved from the lions' den, specifically regarding King Darius and his kingdom?

9. How does the speaker contrast the common approach to evangelism with what it fundamentally should be about?

10. What specific personal events did the speaker share that illustrated the theme of "unseen circumstances" and made the message of Daniel 6 deeply personal?

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Answer Key

1. The Book of Daniel covers the Babylonian Empire and the Medo-Persian Empire. During these periods, both empires had conquered Israel and Judah, making them provinces, which resulted in the people of God losing their land, country, rights, and religious freedoms.

2. Under King Darius the Mede, Daniel was chosen as the chief administrator overseeing 120 provincial governors (satraps). The king was so impressed with Daniel's "excellent spirit" and integrity that he planned to set him over the entire realm, which sparked intense jealousy among the other officials.

3. Unable to find any corruption in his official duties, Daniel's enemies exploited his unwavering religious devotion. They manipulated King Darius into signing an irrevocable decree forbidding prayer to any god or person besides the king, knowing Daniel's consistent prayer habits would lead him to violate it.

4. Upon learning of the decree, Daniel went to his house and continued his normal practice of kneeling to pray three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem, just as he had been doing previously. This demonstrates his courage over compromise, consistency in crisis, and refusal to modify his spiritual disciplines even under threat.

5. "Consistency in Crisis" teaches that true faithfulness is an unmodified discipline maintained even in unseen or unstable situations. Daniel exemplified this by not changing his prayer routine—not even praying in private or closing his windows—showing that his private spiritual habits had prepared him for this public test of faith.

6. "Integrity Over Expectation" teaches that godly faithfulness is not a guarantee of worldly comfort and can sometimes lead to hardship. Daniel's decades of faithful service led him directly into the lions' den, illustrating that God's goodness is measured by His character, not our ease, and our reward is His presence in the trial.

7. The lesson of "The Unseen Hand" shows that God worked through the situation rather than removing it entirely. He did not prevent Daniel from being thrown into the den; instead, His angel protected Daniel in the den by shutting the lions' mouths, demonstrating that God's presence in a trial is a greater miracle than exemption from it.

8. After Daniel was found unharmed, King Darius had Daniel's accusers and their families thrown to the lions. The king then issued a kingdom-wide decree acknowledging the sovereignty of Daniel's God, proclaiming Him to be "the living God" whose kingdom will never be destroyed.

9. The speaker notes that evangelism is too often focused only on sharing doctrine or intellectual facts about Christ, which often falls short. It is fundamentally about sharing the "new life" found in Christ, a truth Daniel exemplified through his faithful witness without saying a word.

10. The speaker shared two personal "unseen circumstances": an unexpected trip to South Korea to lead his wife's uncle's funeral after a sudden cancer diagnosis, and discovering that his own mother had started losing her memory and needed medical treatment. These events made him realize the message of Daniel's faithfulness in uncontrollable situations was for him.