Daniel in the Lion's Den

Daniel had distinguished himself among all the administrators and satraps in the Persian Empire because of his exceptional qualities and the spirit of God within him. King Darius planned to set him over the entire kingdom, which made the other officials jealous and resentful. They searched for grounds to accuse Daniel of corruption or negligence but found nothing—he was trustworthy, and no corruption or negligence was found in him.

Knowing that Daniel's devotion to God was unshakeable, these officials devised a cunning trap. They convinced King Darius to issue a decree that for thirty days, anyone who prayed to any god or human except the king would be thrown into the lions' den. The king, flattered and unaware of their scheme, signed the decree into law. Under Persian law, not even the king could revoke a decree once it was established.

When Daniel learned of the decree, he faced a critical decision: compromise his faith to save his life, or remain faithful regardless of consequences. Without hesitation, Daniel went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day, just as he had always done, he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God. He made no attempt to hide his devotion or seek a middle ground.

The officials caught Daniel praying and immediately reported him to the king. Darius was deeply distressed, realizing he had been manipulated, and he spent the day trying to find a way to save Daniel. But the officials reminded him that no decree or edict of the king could be changed. Reluctantly, the king gave the order, and Daniel was thrown into the lions' den. As they sealed the den with a stone, Darius said to Daniel, 'May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!'

The king spent a sleepless night fasting and refusing entertainment. At the first light of dawn, he hurried to the lions' den and called out anxiously, 'Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?' To his joy, Daniel answered: '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.'

The king was overjoyed and ordered Daniel lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Darius then commanded that the men who had falsely accused Daniel be thrown into the lions' den along with their families, and the lions overpowered them before they even reached the floor. The king issued a new decree that people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel, 'for he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.'