The Pit

Scripture

Daniel 6:1–4 CSB

Darius decided to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the realm, and over them three administrators, including Daniel. These satraps would be accountable to them so that the king would not be defrauded. Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him.

Daniel 6:7 CSB

All the administrators of the kingdom—the prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors—have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an edict that, for thirty days, anyone who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den.

Daniel 6:10–11 CSB

When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God.

Daniel 6:13–18 CSB

Then they told the king, “Daniel, one of the Judean exiles, has ignored you, the king, and the edict you signed, for he prays three times a day.” As soon as the king heard this, he was very displeased; he set his mind on rescuing Daniel and made every effort until sundown to deliver him. Then these men went together to the king and said to him, “You know, Your Majesty, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no edict or ordinance the king establishes can be changed.” So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you!” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing in regard to Daniel could be changed. Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep.

Introduction: Understanding the Context of Daniel’s Story

In the Book of Daniel, we find a powerful story that begins when King Darius issues a law that leads to Daniel being thrown into a den of lions. It’s one of those Bible stories we’ve probably heard a hundred times, but there’s so much more going on here than just a man surviving a night with wild animals.

Daniel’s story is really about faithfulness. He chose to stay committed to God, even when it wasn’t popular, even when it put him at risk. He prayed consistently, lived with integrity, and trusted God completely. And because of that, God honored him—even in the face of danger.

God’s Favor in the Middle of Trials

The first thing we really need to notice in this story is the favor of God that rests on Daniel’s life. Even though Daniel was wrongfully accused and sentenced to the lions' den, there was still something different about the way people saw him—especially King Darius.

The king didn’t want to punish Daniel. He actually spent the whole day trying to find a way out for him. But because of the law he had made, his hands were tied. And yet, before Daniel is thrown into the den, Darius says something powerful: “Your God, whom you serve continually, will deliver you.”

Think about that for a second. A king who didn’t even worship God had enough respect for Daniel’s faith to believe that God would rescue him. That’s what the favor of God can do. It can cause even people who don’t know Him to recognize His power in your life. Sometimes, the very people who seem to be against you can end up speaking hope and encouragement over you—just like Darius did for Daniel.

Here’s something to wrestle with: what if we don’t serve God continually? Will He still come through for us?

It’s a tough question. And while it’s easy to start thinking about God’s faithfulness as something we earn, the truth is—God’s character doesn’t change based on our performance. He is faithful even when we’re not. That doesn’t mean we stop striving to live for Him, but it does mean we can rest in knowing that His love and mercy don’t disappear the moment we mess up.

Daniel’s faithfulness positioned him for God’s favor, but even more than that, it revealed the unchanging goodness of God. And that’s something we can hold onto in every season.

Serve God Continuously

“When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God, just as he had done before.”

Daniel served God with consistency—and that says a lot about what it means to truly walk with God. He didn’t just follow God when it was easy or when it made him look good. He stayed faithful, even when it could’ve cost him everything. If Daniel had chosen comfort over commitment, he might have avoided the lions’ den—but he also might have missed out on experiencing God’s power in such a real and personal way.

And that brings up a question we all have to ask ourselves: Are we following God only when life feels easy and everything is going our way? Or are we committed to walking with Him even when things get hard?

Consistency in our faith isn’t always flashy. It doesn’t always feel exciting. But that steady, day-by-day commitment is what builds a real relationship with God. It’s what prepares us to stand strong when life throws unexpected challenges our way.

The truth is—faith takes persistence. It takes choosing Jesus over and over again, even when it would be easier to blend in or give up. But that kind of faith? It often leads to blessings we didn’t see coming. Sometimes the miracle doesn’t show up until we’re already in the middle of the storm—but God always shows up.

Daniel’s story reminds us that staying faithful, even in the face of pressure, opens the door for God to do something incredible.

Opposition Will Come

Now let’s talk about something every believer will face at some point: opposition.

Daniel experienced real hostility from people who wanted to see him fail. They weren’t just annoyed by him—they were actively plotting against him. And why? Because his faithfulness made him stand out. His consistent walk with God exposed their selfishness, and that made him a target.

But here’s the thing: the opposition didn’t crush Daniel—it revealed his character. It showed the depth of his faith and the strength of his relationship with God. And this reminds us of a really important truth: if you’re living for Jesus, you will face pushback.

1 Peter 4:12-13 says,

Christian Standard Bible Chapter 4

12 Dear friends, don’t be surprised when the fiery ordeal comes among you to test you, as if something unusual were happening to you. 13 Instead, rejoice as you share in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may also rejoice with great joy when his glory is revealed.

In other words, trials and hard moments are part of the journey. They don’t mean you’re doing something wrong—sometimes, they’re actually proof that you’re doing something right.

So instead of letting fear or frustration take over when life gets hard, we can ask, “God, what are You doing in this? What are You building in me through this?” Because more often than not, those moments of pressure are preparing us for something greater.

Opposition isn't the end of the story—it might just be the setup for what God is about to do next.

The Pit

Daniel 6:19–28 CSB

At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he reached the den, he cried out in anguish to Daniel. “Daniel, servant of the living God,” the king said, “has your God, whom you continually serve, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to take Daniel out of the den. When Daniel was brought up from the den, he was found to be unharmed, for he trusted in his God. The king then gave the command, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who live on the whole earth: “May your prosperity abound. I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, and he endures forever; his kingdom will never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He rescues and delivers; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for he has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Now, let’s take a moment to talk about the pit.

In Scripture, a pit can represent all kinds of trials—moments when life feels overwhelming, heavy, or just plain unfair. Maybe for you, that pit looks like a broken relationship, stress at home, financial struggles, or even questions about your purpose. Some of these situations we walk into by accident. Others, if we’re honest, we create by our own choices. And then there are the pits that just happen—completely out of our control.

Daniel didn’t do anything wrong to end up in the lions’ den. He was faithful, obedient, and consistent. And yet, he still found himself in the pit. But here’s what’s so important to see: the pit wasn’t the end of his story.

Just because you’re in a tough spot doesn’t mean God has left you or that your future is ruined. The truth is, the pit doesn’t determine the outcome. It’s not about where you are—it’s about who’s with you in it.

God was with Daniel in the den. He didn’t pull him out right away—but He did shut the mouths of the lions. And in the same way, God doesn’t always remove the struggle instantly, but He will give us peace, protection, and purpose in the middle of it.

So if you feel like you’re in a pit right now, know this: God hasn’t abandoned you. His presence can turn your darkest place into the very stage where His grace shines the brightest. Your pit might just become the story that encourages someone else to keep going.

Trusting God’s Deliverance

For Daniel, the pit wasn’t just a place of danger—it became a place of divine intervention.

Imagine spending the night surrounded by lions. That’s not just uncomfortable—it’s terrifying. But Daniel didn’t panic. He didn’t try to fight his way out or plead with the king. Instead, he rested in the presence of God. And when morning came, Daniel stood up and said, “My God sent His angel to shut the mouths of the lions.”

What a declaration of faith. That one sentence shows the kind of trust Daniel had—not just in what God could do, but in who God was to him.

Faith like that doesn’t happen by accident. It grows through daily trust, daily surrender, and choosing to believe—even when the outcome is still uncertain. And that’s what God invites us into: not a life without struggles, but a life where we don’t face those struggles alone.

Sometimes, faith means laying down our fear, our plans, and even our need for answers. It means saying, “God, I don’t know how this ends, but I trust that You’re in it with me.” And it’s in that space—when we move from fear to faith—that we often see God show up in ways we never expected.

Daniel didn’t escape the pit—but he encountered God in the pit. And that made all the difference.

Sealed Doesn’t Mean Finished

Another part of Daniel’s story we don’t want to miss is the sealing of the pit.

After Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, King Darius had a stone rolled over the entrance and sealed it with his own signet ring. This wasn’t just about locking Daniel in—it was meant to make the situation feel final. No escape. No second chances. No way out.

But here’s where it gets good: that seal didn’t stop God.

The world may have seen the situation as finished, but God wasn’t done. And the same is true for us. Sometimes it feels like certain parts of our lives are sealed off—like the decision’s already been made, the door is closed, the story’s over. But with God, final doesn’t mean finished.

We see this again in the life of Jesus. A stone was rolled in front of His tomb. The seal was set. It looked like death had won. But not even the grave could hold Him. That stone rolled away, and Jesus walked out, proving that nothing—not even death—can stop the power of God.

So if you’re facing a situation that feels impossible, hopeless, or too far gone, let this remind you: God’s resurrection power is still at work. What feels like the end might actually be the beginning of something new.

Because with God, even a sealed pit can lead to a powerful comeback.

Takeaways

As we reflect on Daniel’s journey, there are a few key insights that stand out and resonate with us today:

Continuous Service: No matter what’s going on in your life, stay faithful to God. Keep serving Him, even when things aren’t easy. Your consistency in following Him shapes your relationship with God and strengthens your faith.

2. Anticipate Opposition: Trials are part of the journey. But instead of seeing them as roadblocks, recognize that they’re opportunities for growth. Opposition can sharpen your faith and prepare you for greater things ahead.

3. Trust in Deliverance: No matter how tough your situation is, hold onto the truth that God will deliver you. It might not always look how you expect, but He is faithful, and His timing is perfect.

4. Hope Beyond Sealing: When life feels like it’s been sealed shut—like there’s no way out or things are beyond repair—remember that God’s power is greater than any seal. What looks like the end could just be the beginning of a miracle.

What Is Your Pit?

As we close today’s discussion, I want you to take a moment to reflect on your own "lion’s dens." Where in your life do you feel overwhelmed, trapped, or up against something you just can’t seem to overcome? Maybe it’s a tough situation, a relationship, or something you’re carrying that feels too heavy.

Take courage today. Just as God delivered Daniel, He can deliver you. The God who shut the mouths of lions is the same God who is with you in your struggle.

Remember, it’s not about avoiding the pits—it’s about trusting God in them. So, embrace the process. Stay faithful, even when things are hard. Trust in God’s goodness, knowing that His plan for you is far greater than any trial you face. And above all, remember: your story is not over yet. The pits we encounter aren’t the end; they’re often the preparation for God’s greatest work in our lives.

So let faith rise within you today, and declare, “Joy is coming in the morning!” Even in the darkest times, God’s light is just ahead.