Daniel in the Lions’ Den
31
way injure him. Through flattery they made the monarch believe it
would be greatly to his honor to pass such an edict. With a smile of
satanic triumph upon their faces, they come forth from the presence of
the king, and rejoice together over the snare which they have laid for
the servant of God.
An Example of Boldness and Fidelity
The decree goes forth from the king. Daniel is acquainted with the
purpose of his enemies to ruin him. But he does not change his course
in a single particular. With calmness he performs his accustomed
[44]
duties, and at the hour of prayer he goes to his chamber, and with his
windows open toward Jerusalem, he offers his petitions to the God of
heaven. By his course of action he fearlessly declares that no earthly
power has the right to come between him and his God and tell him to
whom he should or should not pray. Noble man of principle! he stands
before the world today a praiseworthy example of Christian boldness
and fidelity. He turns to God with all his heart, although he knows that
death is the penalty for his devotion.
His adversaries watch him an entire day. Three times he has re-
paired to his chamber, and three times the voice of earnest intercession
has been heard. The next morning the complaint is made to the king
that Daniel, one of the captives of Judah, has set at defiance his decree.
When the monarch heard these words, his eyes were at once opened to
see the snare that had been set. He was sorely displeased with himself
for having passed such a decree, and labored till the going down of
the sun to devise a plan by which Daniel might be delivered. But
the prophet’s enemies had anticipated this, and they came before the
king with these words: “Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and
Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may
be changed.
“Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast
him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel,
Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee” (
verses
15, 16
). A stone was laid upon the mouth of the den, and sealed with
[45]
the royal seal. “Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night
fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and
his sleep went from him” (
verse 18
).