Our series on the book and story of Daniel continues to be interesting. We have learned a lot about Daniel. He was talented. His work was admired. But even so, Daniel found himself in a real bind. He found himself and his beliefs under attack. His earthly accomplishments turned out to be of no service to him. He was in danger.

Daniel had also made friends in high places. King Darius knew Daniel and was at one time planning to promote him to a high position within the kingdom. But as we see in the story, this earthly ally turned out to be no safeguard at all to Daniel. In fact, his one-time ally, the king, was the one who ended up wanting to throw him into the lion’s den.

But Daniel’s faith and hope did not lie in his hard work or his earthly alliances. His faith and hope were in his God. And that led to his eventual success and victory.

We see in scripture that Daniel’s faith led him to be confident and thankful. With a visit to the lions’ den staring him in the face, we read these words from Daniel 6:

When Daniel learned the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.
— Daniel 6:10

Was he thankful for the attacks? No. Was he thankful for the lions? I doubt it. He was thankful that his God was with him to help and to save. Daniel’s prayer, hope and faith were well-founded. His God saved him. Our God saved Daniel. His story should remind us that our God is with us today to empower us and give us hope.

And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
— Daniel 6:23