Text: Daniel 6

Dear Brethren,

WHEN PEOPLE RESORT TO UNDERHANDED METHODS
Try as they might, Daniel's enemies could find no fault in his life that could cause him to fall into disfavour with the King. Finally, they came up with an idea.

They knew that the only way they could trip Daniel would up be through his steadfast faith in his God. When they concluded their discussion, they knew that they had come up with a "perfect plan".

However, their plan was dangerous. They must have known that their plan was highly risky. They knew that they had to actually deceive the King as well.

A PLAN THAT FLATTERED THE EGO OF THE KING
The plan that "the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisers" (Daniel 6:7) came up with was quite flattering to the King's ego. The king was asked to sign a decree forbidding anyone to make a petition to anyone for thirty days - except to him (Daniel 6:7).

The crafty enemies of Daniel asked the king to seal this decree. It was the practice of the king that once a decree had been signed and sealed, it could not be changed or altered in any way (Daniel 6:8). Without thinking carefully, the king signed the decree.

UNAFRAID AND STEADFAST AS USUAL
Daniel knew that his enemies must have felt that they had at last triumphed over him. He knew that once the decree had been signed and sealed, even he or the king himself could not alter it.

Daniel chose the wisest course of action. He went home and did what he had always done. Let's take a look at what the Scriptures said,

"And in his upper room, with his windows open
to Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees
three times that day, and prayed,
and gave thanks before his God,
as was his custom since early days."
Daniel 6:10

The enemies had deceived the king into signing a decree that would land Daniel into serious trouble. Daniel was well aware of the penalty if the King's decree was violated. He would have to pay the penalty - the forfeit of his life.

Nevertheless, Daniel was unafraid and remained steadfast in his faith and devotion to God. In this portion of Scripture, we catch a glimpse of the prayer life of Daniel. There is no doubt at all, that the strong prayer life that Daniel sustained had a direct effect on the way he exhibited tremendous courage and strength. Are you courageous and steadfast like Daniel? How is your prayer life?

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 12th August 2001, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore