When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10)
This portion of scripture is probably the most well known part of the Book of Daniel. The new King of Babylon, Darius, has carelessly allowed himself to be manipulated by his high officials into instituting a new law that requires everyone in the empire to worship only him, Darius. The law can’t be changed or revoked and any violation of the law is punishable by death. Clearly the high officials had ulterior motives. They wanted to suck up to the new boss and they wanted to get rid of Daniel.
At this point in his life, Daniel, the exile from Judah, had been giving God anointed advice to the rulers of Babylon for many years and virtually every one of them had come to trust and rely on him. Darius was no exception.
So when Daniel learns of the new law he goes home, gets down on his knees and prays and gives thanks to God “…just like he always did” (6:10). In fact, he always did this every day, three times a day, with his window toward Jerusalem open so that anyone could hear or see what he’s doing. The jealous high officials are there to see and hear and immediately hurry to the king to rat him out.
When the king hears that his vanity law has ensnared his favorite counselor he reacts with horror and fear and worry. He can’t even sleep the whole night that Daniel is in the lions’ den and rushes at first light to the den to see if his fears have been confirmed. (6:18)
I’ll assume you know what verse 19 says, so let me just push pause for a moment.
Notice the difference between Daniel and Darius. Daniel, knowing full well the consequences of his actions, does what he always does – he prays. Darius, the most powerful man in the empire, spends a night in anxiety and (hopefully) regret. Daniel probably spent a more restful night with the lions than Darius did in his palace.
There are some excellent and extensive commentaries on this portion of scripture and I highly recommend studying them but I want to focus on one key point. Daniel did what “…he always did.” The only specific thing we know about
Daniel’s prayer is that he gave thanks. No mention of panic or fears. Instead, there was peace and praise. How is that possible? His lifetime of carving out time to spend with God had created a confident faith within Daniel about who God is and what He wants for those He loves. When Daniel called, God took the call and whether it meant that God would stop the lions’ mouths (spoiler alert) or leave him for cat chow and raise him up later, Daniel could be at peace.
Let me just point to a New Testament story that always makes me laugh. In Acts 19:13, we find Paul in Ephesus doing all kinds of amazing things in Jesus name and word gets around. Seven sons of a Jewish high priest named Sceva have made a family business out of casting out demons. Thinking they can introduce something new into the act they try to cast out a demons by saying, “I adjure you by the Jesus whom Paul proclaims.”
Bad move. The demon, speaking through the man possessed says, “Jesus I know, and Paul I recognize, but who are you?” He then beats, strips and bloodies all seven of the brothers and sends them running for their lives. Alright, so maybe I shouldn’t find that funny, but it illustrates the very thing Daniel knew to his core. Jesus, our Lord and our God (to paraphrase Thomas) is not a magic formula or a genie in a bottle, He is the creator and sustainer of the universe. And, he’s our Father who loves us to death and wants a real relationship with us.
So go ahead, cast your cares on Him. He’ll take your call.