
(Bible passages from ESV unless otherwise noted)
We don’t always know how or when, but God will ultimately vindicate those who look to Him.
There is a new kingdom and political system.
It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 satraps, to be throughout the whole kingdom; and over them three high officials, of whom Daniel was one, to whom these satraps should give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. —Daniel 6:1-2
God exalts His people in due time.
Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. —Daniel 6:3
Integrity
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. 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
Integrity doesn’t always pay off
Be faithful even when it’s hard and scary.
“All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions.” —Daniel 6:7
Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. —Daniel 6:9
He knows it’s game time.
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. —Daniel 6:10
…he went to his house
…got down on his knees
…and prayed and gave thanks
…as he had done previously.
Trust God is able to deliver you
Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” —Daniel 6:16
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! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” —Daniel 6:20-22
Big Idea:
We don’t always know how or when, but God vindicates those who look to Him.
Study Guide
Our small groups are on their summer schedule. Each week this summer we will be supplying study guide questions for you and your family to process. After you have completed the study guide, decide what next step you plan to take as a result of what you heard and write it down.
- Where have you seen God provide and at the time you didn’t know how or when it would happen?
- What character qualities make Daniel stand out and allow him to ascend to high leadership positions in the kingdom?
- Why should Christians who are serving God faithfully expect opposition? How does Daniel respond?
- How can we practice now for when opposition will come?
- How does this narrative help you pursue God better? Others? What truths or promises from this passage do you need to arm yourself with this week?
- Discuss where you see how Daniel typifies or shadows Jesus?