The Remnantنموونە

After a long day at work, Daniel entered his small Babylonian apartment and noticed the curtains gently floating away from the open window. A simple question crossed his mind. Should he close the window before praying, or leave it open?

Rarely had such a minor decision occupied more than a passing thought. But after today, Daniel knew the consequences could be deadly. Would he continue to openly pray to the God he loved, even if it could cost him his life?

Rumors had been spreading that Daniel would soon be elevated to the second-in-command position in the kingdom. His colleagues wanted to eliminate Daniel as competition, so they manipulated the king into signing an irrevocable law making it illegal to pray to any god but him for thirty days. The consequences of not obeying this law meant being eaten alive by a pack of underfed and angry lions.

Knowing the law had been signed, and that eyes were probably on him, Daniel left the window open, got down on his knees, and gave thanks to God (Daniel 6:10).

Daniel could’ve prayed in the privacy of his room with the windows closed. But for him, that would’ve been a spiritual compromise. Daniel refused to obey any human law that put him in opposition to God’s law, even if that meant he had to face the lions. And so, despite King Darius’ unsuccessful efforts to overturn his own hastily-made law, they dropped a blameless 80-year-old man into a den of lions and sealed it with a stone.

Daniel’s Answer to the King (1890) by Briton Riviere, Public Domain

There are many similarities between Daniel and Jesus. Daniel is a precursor of Christ who points us to the one who was truly blameless, Jesus. Jesus was also thrown into a den of lions when he faced his civil and criminal trials before his crucifixion. The Psalmist, prophesying of the verbal abuse Jesus would endure said, “Roaring lions that tear their prey open their mouths wide against me” (Psalm 22:13). Jesus and Daniel remained silent before their accusers, and were led like sheep to slaughter (Daniel 6:16, Isaiah 53:6). A stone was rolled in front of the lion’s den and then sealed by the king (Daniel 6:17), and a stone that was rolled in front of Jesus’ tomb and sealed by Pilate (Matthew 27:60,66). While Daniel didn’t have a scratch on him (Daniel 6:23), Jesus’ flesh was ripped apart and his body bore all the marks of his sacrifice (Isaiah 53:5). And finally, both men came out of their tombs victorious and brought glory to God (Daniel 6:26-27; Col 1:18-20).

People who live uncompromisingly like Daniel are the real lions. Meek and mild, yes. Obedient to authorities, yes. Excelling in their work, and earning favor among men, yes. Blameless in their conduct, yes. Willing to bow to the idols of culture, no. Willing to suffer the consequences that may bring? By God’s grace, and with his help, yes. These are the real lions because they are a threat to the world’s system.

Do you feel inadequate, and maybe afraid, to live like that? The good news is that we have a true and better Daniel, who was blameless and suffered the stripes of the lion’s den on our behalf. It’s because we love him, that we can open our windows, and live an uncompromising life. One decision at a time.

Questions to Consider:

1. Daniel was confronted with hundreds of decisions that tested his spiritual fidelity over the course of his life. Would he continue to pray publicly in a hostile pagan society? Would he eat the king’s food? Would he interpret dreams? Would he bow down to idols? Would he close the window? Do the decisions you’re making today reflect your trust or distrust of God and his Word? Why or why not?
2. Living an uncompromising life means there are certain matters that are settled in your mind. You don’t have to wonder what to do because you know what God’s Word says on the matter. How are you investing time in knowing his Word so that you can live an uncompromising life like Daniel, and like Jesus?