- As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!” Daniel 6:20-21 – Where the world expects to hear silence we can be a voice speaking of the goodness of God. This was a lions den, other than the loud roars of the lions and the screams of those who unfortunately found themselves thrown in there, the only sounds were that of silence and death. Yet the king cries out into the den and hopes for a voice to come out of where no one would expect a voice to come from. What the king hears is more than just the voice of Daniel, he hears there is a God who is more powerful than death. What would be the lion’s den of today? What would be the places the world would expect to hear nothing from that we could be a voice there speaking of the goodness and greatness of God? Possibly when they are in lowest season of life crying out to something we can be there speaking into them. Or maybe it’s a church who refuses to stay silent about the injustice around them when typically all the world hears from them is silence. We have a voice, you have a voice, use it to break the silence of death so people can begin to hear of the goodness of God. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1562
- Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” Daniel 6:4-5 – One commentary on this passage said how amazing would it be to have a leader in our day today where after over 50 years in public service there could be found no fault or complaint. While likely none of us reading this are applying for roles like president of a country or queen, this passage still sets a high standard of living that we ought to learn from. Daniel lived in such a respectful way with the world that no grounds of even a complaint over his life could be found. Could that be said of us today? Daniel also lived so faithfully that even his enemies knew that when persecution came, Daniel would remain faithful. Would we remain faithful in persecution and would those around us say that of us? While Daniel is sure setting a high standard of living, it simply is the example that Jesus set for us to follow too. To live at peace with those around you, to serve the governing body over you as far as it doesn’t compromise your obedience to God, and to remain faithful to God even when the world is seeking to condemn you. Yes, this is a high standard of living, but what we learn from such stories in Daniel is that when we live faithfully for the Lord, in the good and hard times, people see. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 2744
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