Weaponizing a judicial system to silence or eliminate someone is nothing new. We see it in Daniel’s day, just like our day. In our reading, we see an eighty-two-year-old Daniel thrown to the lions. Why is he being thrown to the lions? Not because he murdered anyone. Not because of corruption or treason. Not because of stealing. It is because he worships God! Notice what Daniel’s political opponents said of him. Then the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy. So they concluded, “Our only chance of finding grounds for accusing Daniel will be in connection with the rules of his religion.” (Daniel 6:4–5, NLT) So the heathen weaponized the judicial system and threw a good man to the lions.
As I thought about Daniel’s life, this kind of drama wasn’t new to him. As someone high up in the political class for most of his life, Daniel survived four different kings: Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darius the Mede, and Cyrus the Great. This was unheard of. Lots of heads usually rolled during regime changes, but not Daniel’s. He stood calm, firm, and secure amid a lot of swirling drama. When the law was passed making it illegal to pray to God, the Bible says, 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. (Daniel 6:10, ESV) Wow, talk about taking a stand! Talk about a foundation upon which he stood!
Times haven’t changed! Today’s world is full of evil people creating drama for the righteous (2 Thessalonians 3:1–2). It is not because Christians are dangerous people; it is because the heathen rage and imagine vain things against God (Psalm 2:1–2). And since we as Christians are not above our Master, we too will suffer persecution as Jesus did (John 15:20). However, like Daniel, we too can take a stand calmly, firmly, and securely regardless of the weaponization of the ungodly. No weapon that is fashioned against you shall succeed, and you shall refute every tongue that rises against you in judgment. This is the heritage of the servants of the Lord and their vindication from me, declares the Lord.” (Isaiah 54:17, ESV) So let us stand, and if need be, take the stand amid the rage of the ungodly and glorify our Father who is in Heaven! (Ephesians 6:13; Hebrews 12:1–3)
Thank you for joining me as I read and journal chronologically through the Bible! This devotional reflection comes from Daniel 4-6.