Today’s Reading: Daniel 6:10-13 (English Standard Version)
10 When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God.12 Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.13 Then they answered and said before the king, Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.
Takeaways:
- Notice that it says that Daniel knew that the document had been signed. He knew that he was risking his life to pray.
- Daniel continued to pray and give thanks to God.
- The men that were out to get Daniel “happened” to come by and find him praying.
- Just like an annoying tattletale from your childhood, the men ran to the King and asked him to clarify what the injunction said in an effort to get Daniel in trouble.
- The men also reminded the King of his promise to throw any violators into the den of lions.
- Once the men clarified that the den of lions threat was still good, they told on Daniel.
- I wonder how my prayer life and obedience would change if I was threatened with a den of lions?
- Do I take for granted that I have the freedom to pray whenever and wherever I wish?