A FIRST RESPONDER DEVOTION

The Book of Daniel is one of my favorite books in the Bible. Chapter 6 is full of lessons that are applicable to our own lives. Let’s look at a few, shall we?

Lesson #1: Serve God, Not Man

And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men. – Colossians 3:23

Anything we do in this life should be done as unto the Lord and not man. Daniel practiced this all throughout his life, and God blessed him for that. Even in a strange land, Daniel stayed faithful to the Lord. Daniel purposed in his heart (Daniel 1:8) to stay faithful to the Lord, and by doing this, he wound up in a very high position of authority.

If we are faithful to the Lord and seek His will for our lives, He will be faithful in His blessings upon us. Let’s purpose in our hearts as Daniel did.

Lesson #2: Expect Opposition When Serving the Lord

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour.” – 1 Peter 5:8

When we try to live for the Lord and serve Him faithfully, the enemy (the devil and this world) doesn’t like that. He will attack you and try to destroy your testimony for the Lord.

That’s what the men in verses 3 and 4 did to Daniel. They “sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom” but couldn’t because he stayed faithful to the Lord and lived a God-honoring life. Knowing that Daniel would be faithful to the Lord, they formulated the decree that was brought to the king.

Do all things without murmurings disputings: That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world. – Philippians 2:14-15

Lesson #3: Think Before You Act

Every prudent man dealeth with knowledge: but a fool layeth open his folly. – Proverbs 13:16

In verses 6-8, the presidents and princes assembled together unto King Darius and presented the decree. In verses 2-3, the Bible says that Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes. King Darius actually set him over the whole realm.

King Darius had to have known Daniel well enough to know that he served the Lord and was faithful to Him, that he wouldn’t have been able to follow that decree. If King Darius hadn’t been so quick to sign the decree, then he wouldn’t have had to put Daniel in the den of lions in the first place.

The Bible says that when the king heard that Daniel was accused of going against the decree, he was “sore displeased with himself.” The king regretted what he had done. All this could have been avoided had he paused, given some thought as to why a decree like that would be needed, and questioned the men who brought it before him.

Before we make any decision, let’s pause, think, and ask the Holy Spirit for guidance.

Lesson #4: Be Steadfast in Your Walk with Christ

Stand fast, and hold the traditions which ye have been taught. – 2 Thessalonians 2:15

Daniel, knowing that the decree was signed, went home, kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, giving thanks before his God as he did aforetime.

Even though Daniel knew the consequences for his actions, he went home and did what he had been doing all along. We, as believers, no matter what the situation—whether good or bad—should continue praying, reading the Bible, and being faithful to the Lord. Our circumstances should not determine our commitment to the Lord.

Lesson #5: Trust God in Life’s Lions’ Dens

Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. – Proverbs 3:5-6

In Verse 16, Daniel gets thrown into the den of lions. He didn’t try to put up a fight. He didn’t protest his innocence.

Life is not fair. Bad things happen to good people. Matthew 5:45 reminds us that it rains on the just and the unjust. In our own den of lions, we need to trust in the Lord and allow Him to work in our lives.

Lesson #6: Be a Light for the Lord

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven. – Matthew 5:16

In verses 25-27, King Darius, after seeing God deliver Daniel from the lions’ mouths and Daniel give glory to God, made another decree praising the God of Daniel.

Jesus said it best: we are the salt of the earth and the light of the world. Daniel stayed faithful to God and was a bright and shining witness for the Lord. Let’s be a great witness for Jesus!