Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. Daniel 6:14

Author God, 

Thank you for what Daniel shows us 

about living faithfully in frightening circumstances. 

When he was exiled,

Daniel did not whine or grumble or become bitter; 

instead Daniel remained faithful to you 

but also worked on behalf of the pagan rulers of this land. 

By the time of Darius’ rule, 

Daniel would have been in his eighties, 

and we are told, 

“this Daniel became distinguished 

above all the other presidents and satraps, 

because an excellent spirit was in him” (Daniel 6:3). 

In fact the king “planned to set him over the whole kingdom” (Daniel 6:3). 

And of course it was this excellence 

that provoked the jealousy of the other satraps, 

who found a way to trap Daniel. 

Undeterred, Daniel kept praying, 

thanking you, 

because he trusted in you. 

When we find ourselves in a place we don’t want to be, 

will we keep praying, 

offering thanks, 

trusting fully in your deliverance? 

The story ends with Darius’ astonishing decree: 

“people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, 

for he is the living God, enduring forever….” (Daniel 6:26). 

Father, when we find ourselves in places we never wanted to be, 

give us the courage to trust you, 

to wait for your deliverance. 

Help us to serve others (yes, even your enemies) 

and to believe that you are the God of wonders 

who is writing this story 

to bring good to us and glory to yourself. 

Amen. 

Read Daniel 6.