In the Lions’ Den
353
The enemies of Daniel left the presence of Darius, rejoicing over
the snare now securely laid for the servant of Jehovah. In the conspir-
acy thus formed, Satan had played an important part. The prophet was
high in command in the kingdom, and evil angels feared that his influ-
ence would weaken their control over its rulers. It was these satanic
agencies who had stirred the princes to envy and jealousy; it was they
who had inspired the plan for Daniel’s destruction; and the princes,
yielding themselves as instruments of evil, carried it into effect.
The prophet’s enemies counted on Daniel’s firm adherence to
principle for the success of their plan. And they were not mistaken
in their estimate of his character. He quickly read their malignant
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purpose in framing the decree, but he did not change his course in a
single particular. Why should he cease to pray now, when he most
needed to pray? Rather would he relinquish life itself, than his hope
of help in God. With calmness he performed his duties as chief of the
princes; and at the hour of prayer he went to his chamber, and with his
windows open toward Jerusalem, in accordance with his usual custom,
he offered his petition to the God of
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heaven. He did not try to conceal his act. Although he knew full well
the consequences of his fidelity to God, his spirit faltered not. Before
those who were plotting his ruin, he would not allow it even to appear
that his connection with Heaven was severed. In all cases where the
king had a right to command, Daniel would obey; but neither the king
nor his decree could make him swerve from allegiance to the King of
kings.
Thus the prophet boldly yet quietly and humbly declared that no
earthly power has a right to interpose between the soul and God.
Surrounded by idolaters, he was a faithful witness to this truth. His
dauntless adherence to right was a bright light in the moral darkness
of that heathen court. Daniel stands before the world today a worthy
example of Christian fearlessness and fidelity.
For an entire day the princes watched Daniel. Three times they saw
him go to his chamber, and three times they heard his voice lifted in
earnest intercession to God. The next morning they laid their complaint
before the king. Daniel, his most honored and faithful statesman, had
set the royal decree at defiance. “Hast thou not signed a decree,” they
reminded him, “that every man that shall ask a petition of any god or