Daniel

The passage for Sunday's sermon was Daniel 6:16-23, But you shouldn't go there until you understand why Daniel was being thrown into the lion's den.

Daniel was preferred. Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm. (Daniel 6:3 KJV)

That, alone is enough to turn people against him. The desire for power is a strong motivator. Daniel had another attribute that caused jealousy - he did no wrong.

Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him. (Daniel 6:4 KJV)

Daniel's God was important to him and everyone around him knew it.

Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God. (Daniel 6:5 KJV)

If someone wanted to do damage to your reputation, would they consider your faith in God a place to start? Is your belief in God apparent enough an enemy would consider it important to you? I believe Satan would -- if you had such faith. He would wish to destroy it.

Once the king's signet ring was attached to the document, a law of the Medes and Persians could not be changed. As we learned in Esther, it could be thwarted, but it could not be changed. The plotters knew this.

All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions. (Daniel 6:7 KJV)

Of course, they lied. Daniel did not consult. He desired no such decree.

Daniel had a choice. Comply with the new law, for only thirty days, or continue his open relationship with his God.

Which would you choose?

Surely God would understand, right? You can not go to church, but still pray to him. Why, Daniel could have prayed in private, silently. He could have changed to comply with the law.

Why didn't he?