“Hear, O Israel! The LORD is our God, the LORD is one!”

On 1-30-16 in prayer I asked the Holy Spirit where He wanted me to read. He said, “Daniel 6 Daniel 12.” Again, no verses?

I know Daniel 12 pretty well. I was not sure what was in Daniel 6.

Daniel 6 is about people (leaders) coming against Daniel because of the favor he had with King Darius. Daniel was appointed as one of 120 satraps (governors)
”Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom.” Daniel 6:3 (NASB)

The others formed a plan against Daniel and tricked the King into signing a special decree.

“Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.” Daniel 6:5 (NASB)

“All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den.” Daniel 6:7 (NASB)

Most of us know. Daniel continued to pray and give thanks to his (our) God.

The officials reminded the king that he had established an irrevocable law. He agreed.

“Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.” Daniel 6:13 (NASB)

Sounds a little like the Devil accusing us before God doesn’t it? The only weapon he has is to get us to violate the Word of God. Daniel broke the king’s law.

The king liked Daniel. “Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him.” Daniel 6:14 (NASB)

We know what happened. The king was forced to have Daniel cast into the lion’s den. The King did say to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” The king fasted and could not sleep all night out of concern for Daniel. The next morning with haste he ran to the den and called out.

“…with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?” ²¹ Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! ²²  “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” ²³  Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”

If you do not recall the end of the story, all the others who had maliciously accused Daniel and their families, wives and children, were thrown into the lion’s den and were all killed.

Why this story and how does it relate to Daniel 12?

“And there will be a time of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation until that time; and at that time your people, everyone who is found written in the book, will be rescued.” Daniel 12:1 (NASB)

We have favor as we stand (in Spirit) before God blameless, righteous, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him;…” Daniel 6:22 (NASB)

God has spoken through His prophets. What they have said about the future will happen. God honors His Word and I believe real protection is within His Word. Many distressing things are spoken of and some of them by Jesus. God is like the king. Should we be accused we may have to stand the test. Job certainly did. In these days of Isis, many are being tested. On a different scale, we are sighing and groaning over today’s events.

“Well Michael God can change things.” Remember, the king out of affection for Daniel was troubled all the while Daniel was in the den. “Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel.” Daniel in fact had broken the law. Not God’s law but man’s law.

There will be a time when an unrighteous “king” will decree something that we as followers of Christ can not submit to. We must remember that our King delivered Daniel and He can deliver us. Like Jesus, we may need to accept that we will accomplish our “departure,” like Jesus did at Jerusalem. Luke 9:31 Yes “accomplish.”

The times of distress are not pleasant to think about and we do not have to dwell on them. We do however need to be as prepared as Daniel was. That day, he was prepared spiritually. His relationship with the Lord was innocent and crimeless, blameless if you will. There was nothing to jeopardize or hinder God from acting on Daniel’s behalf. No matter what the accusation. Daniel was acquitted of any transgression. Psalms 19: 9-14.

I think of what the Father felt as He saw His innocent Son being beaten unjustly. He did not sleep or slumber. Like the king, our God rolled across the land in tumult and quake, in darkness and thunder.

Knowing His Son would go into hell and set the captives free. God in His grace and to glorify His name (Salvation) did not destroy those who had falsely accused Jesus. They knew not what they were doing. As God lives in us, let us set others free in hope that before they die forever, the Holy Spirit might reach them.

Our protection lies with Daniel’s. In his innocence, he prevailed by God’s hand. Let us know in our hearts that should distressing time befall us our King will speak to our spirit, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” Amen.

“If we remain in His grip, how far from His heart can we be!”

In the guardianship of Christ,

Michael

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