AN EXCELLENT SPIRIT

Daniel was the kind of person who stood out. Despite enduring traumatic events as a teenager and spending most of his life in a foreign land, the Bible says he possessed an “excellent spirit” (Daniel 6:3). Daniel’s resilience was not surface-level—it flowed from a deep, unwavering source beyond his circumstances.

As a young boy, Daniel lived in the southern kingdom of Judah in the land of Israel. Because of the people's ongoing disobedience, God had warned them that they would fall to the Babylonians. That judgment began in 605 BC when King Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah. He left with treasures from the Temple and a group of hostages—youths from royal or noble lineage. The Babylonians returned twice more, in 597 and 586 BC, each time capturing more people, destroying Jerusalem, leveling the Temple, and burning down the city’s walls. But it was during that first invasion that Daniel and his companions were taken—roughly six hundred miles to Babylon (near present-day Baghdad)—where they were immersed in Babylonian culture. Their Hebrew names were replaced with names that honored false gods, and for three years, they were indoctrinated in a pagan worldview.

Among the great examples of prayer-hardened perseverance, Daniel stands out. From the beginning, he resolved to stay true to the Lord: “But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank” (Daniel 1:8). Many tests followed, but Daniel never wavered in his devotion, and he never lost the quality that set him apart.

God honored that commitment. Time and again, pagan kings took notice of Daniel’s God-given insight and the excellent spirit he displayed, granting him roles of high influence. His first promotion came soon after his bold decision in chapter one, leading to the opportunity to interpret Nebuchadnezzar’s dream—a task no one else could do (Daniel 2). This earned Daniel further recognition and advancement within the Babylonian Empire.

Over six decades later, Daniel witnessed Babylon’s collapse and the rise of the Medo-Persian Empire (Daniel 5). Under King Darius, Daniel was once again elevated: “Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm” (Daniel 6:3). Likely in his early eighties by this time, Daniel had endured both time and trial without becoming bitter or broken. His remarkable spirit remained intact—a powerful witness to his enduring faith and strength.

It was during Darius’s reign that Daniel faced his greatest test yet: a royal decree forbidding prayer to anyone but the king—under penalty of death by lions. Daniel’s faithful response offers a compelling lesson in how to remain steadfast, spiritually excellent, and resilient even under intense religious pressure.

CLARITY IN PROPHECY

Before we explore the miracle of Daniel in the lions’ den, it’s important to step back and recognize a greater context—one that not only frames Daniel’s life but reveals why his story is so powerful. Remarkably, half of the book of Daniel is composed of prophecy. While God enabled Daniel to interpret dreams and visions for kings—which opened doors of influence in vast empires—the heart of Daniel’s calling lay in the prophetic revelations God gave him concerning the future of the world. These prophecies, spanning chapters 6 through 12, provide us with a clear lens through which to view present-day events and help us resist the illusion that democracy or religious liberty will stand untouched forever.

Let me explain.

Throughout my ministry, I have prayed for revival in America. My heart yearns to see a spiritual awakening like those that transformed our nation during the days of George Whitefield, Jonathan Edwards, and D.L. Moody. I genuinely believe we are standing on the edge of either chaos or revival. Over the past forty years, I have watched our national attitude toward God shift from indifference to open hostility. Yet, I still pray earnestly for a sweeping spiritual renewal—one in which believers are stirred to holiness, the lost are gripped by conviction, and the name of Jesus is magnified around the globe through the preaching of the gospel.

But even if such revival comes, the United States—like every other nation—will not endure forever. Daniel’s prophecies make this clear. In time, the world will witness the rise of a global kingdom, formed by the alliance of ten nations that yield their authority to a single, godless ruler. This man will oppose everything holy and persecute the people of God.

“And the ten horns out of this kingdom are ten kings that shall arise: and another shall rise after them...and he shall speak great words against the most High, and shall wear out the saints of the most High...” (Daniel 7:24–25)

The book of Revelation identifies this final ruler not only as anti-Christ in spirit, but as the Antichrist—the beast—who will rise to power through satanic influence.

“And I stood upon the sand of the sea, and saw a beast rise up out of the sea...and upon his heads the name of blasphemy...And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast...” (Revelation 13:1, 4)

Yet his dominion will be short-lived. Daniel’s seventy-weeks prophecy foretells the coming of the Messiah—Jesus Christ—who will ultimately return to conquer the Antichrist and establish His righteous reign on earth.

“And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse...And the beast was taken, and with him the false prophet...These both were cast alive into a lake of fire burning with brimstone.” (Revelation 19:11, 19–20)

Until that day, we live in a time when government restrictions already impact believers in many parts of the world—and may soon do so more forcefully in places like the West. Religious freedom is not guaranteed forever.

So how do we respond? How can we remain unshaken in faith amid political or cultural pressure? The life of Daniel holds the answer. He didn’t just survive under oppressive regimes—he thrived, with unshakable faith and an excellent spirit. His life provides us with a pattern for resilient Christianity in an unstable world.

2. COURAGE IN PRAYER

The events leading up to Daniel’s night in the lions’ den are simple but revealing. King Darius had elevated Daniel above the other rulers, and that promotion stirred envy in their hearts. Driven by jealousy, these leaders devised a scheme to trap Daniel through his devotion to God.

“Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none...forasmuch as he was faithful...We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” (Daniel 6:4–5)

To get rid of Daniel, they flattered the king with a foolish and manipulative law—one that banned prayer to anyone but the king for thirty days. They claimed unity among the officials, but that was a lie. Daniel, the most trusted leader of all, had not been included in their secret plotting.

“All the presidents...have consulted together to establish a royal statute...that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.” (Daniel 6:7)

It was a ridiculous law, born of pride and deceit, and Darius fell for it. He didn’t recognize the trap hidden in the flattery, and he signed the decree into law.

So how did Daniel respond when his worship of God was directly outlawed?

He prayed.

That’s it. He didn’t organize a protest. He didn’t form a Hebrew political action committee. He didn’t post a fiery denunciation of the king’s order. He simply prayed.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house...he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.” (Daniel 6:10)

Now, I’m not saying that Christians shouldn’t stand up for liberty. Here in America, we have been blessed with religious freedom unlike anything most people in history have known. That freedom was secured at great cost and should never be taken for granted. We have tools for civic engagement—voting, advocacy, even public service—and we ought to use them with gratitude and responsibility.

But even with those freedoms, our deepest loyalty is to the Lord, and our highest assignment is to the Great Commission.

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)

As a follower of Christ, my chief concern is not ultimately political—it is spiritual. I am thankful that I can preach the gospel freely today, and I pray that my children and grandchildren will have the same privilege. But we must never forget that the greatest victories for God’s people are not secured in courts or campaigns—they are won in prayer.

Every day, we see images of angry crowds shaking fists, shouting their views, and sometimes destroying property in the name of protest. That is not the way of God’s people. We don’t mirror the world’s outrage—we turn to the Lord with earnest hearts and bended knees.

Daniel stood courageously for God—by kneeling in prayer. Will we?

3. CONSISTENCY IN PRACTICE AND HABITS

If every Christian’s prayer habits were suddenly made public, many of us would feel the sting of conviction. It’s one thing to talk about prayer—it’s another to practice it with daily consistency.

Daniel’s response to the king’s decree wasn’t born out of panic. He didn’t suddenly begin praying because he was in trouble. The whole reason his enemies chose prayer as the target of their attack is because they knew Daniel was consistent in his walk with God. His habits were predictable and public. Daniel 6:10 tells us he prayed “as he did aforetime.” This wasn’t a new pattern—it was his lifelong discipline.

This matters. Because the time to build spiritual consistency is before your faith is challenged. If you wait until hardship or hostility arrives to start developing spiritual discipline, you’ve waited too long.

We saw this truth firsthand during the COVID-19 lockdowns. Christians who already had spotty church attendance before restrictions were put in place didn’t rush back when the doors reopened. In fact, surveys showed that nearly 30% of “semi-regular” attenders stopped coming altogether. When pressure rises, it doesn’t create spiritual habits—it reveals them.

The same applies across the board. If you aren’t reading God’s Word now, you likely won’t start when it’s labeled hate speech. If you’re not sharing your faith while it’s still legal, you probably won’t begin when it’s forbidden. And if you aren’t praying consistently in peace, you won’t suddenly become prayerful in persecution.

Daniel’s consistency in prayer was visible to all. He opened his windows toward Jerusalem—as instructed in 2 Chronicles 6:38–39—and sought God’s deliverance for His people. He wasn’t trying to make a public show, but he wasn’t hiding either. His prayer life was a settled pattern of worship, formed long before the threat of the lions’ den.

I’m challenged when I consider how disciplined some people are in their religious routines—even those who don’t know the living God. Many Muslims pray five times daily, facing Mecca with determined devotion. I remember meeting someone who had participated in the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. When asked if they shopped or sight-saw during the trip, they firmly replied that the pilgrimage was strictly for prayer. That kind of dedication puts many Christians to shame.

It’s sobering to think that people with no personal relationship with God often show more prayer discipline than believers who do know Him. Too many Christians hesitate to bow their heads even for a brief blessing at a restaurant, let alone set aside time each day for private intercession.

Do you have a daily prayer life? Are you consistently meeting God, lifting up your needs and interceding for others? Are you faithful in other spiritual disciplines—Bible reading, church attendance, tithing, gospel witnessing?

If not, now is the time to start. Don’t wait for pressure to push you toward God. Let love and devotion draw you to Him today.

Daniel stood strong under pressure because he had already knelt before the pressure came.

4. CONSTANT IN PERSECUTION

In today’s culture of constant controversy, it feels like every week brings a new scandal, investigation, or accusation. Whether it’s in politics, media, or business, many people seem more interested in smearing reputations than seeking truth.

Daniel faced similar hostility. His peers despised him and dug for dirt—but they found nothing. Scripture says plainly, “Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel…but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him” (Daniel 6:4).

What a powerful testimony. Daniel didn’t just stand boldly—he lived blamelessly. The only way his enemies could attack him was to make righteousness illegal. They had to fabricate a crime out of his faithfulness to God.

Christians today often struggle to gain a hearing for the gospel because their lives lack credibility. A witness is only as strong as the one who bears it. If we’re known as angry neighbors, lazy workers, gossiping church members, or volatile voices on social media, we weaken the impact of our words.

Yes, if you live for Christ, you will face resistance. People will twist your motives, question your intentions, and mock your faith. But when your walk matches your words, and your character reflects Christ, even those who oppose you will be confronted by the integrity of your life.

Peter wrote: “But and if ye suffer for righteousness’ sake, happy are ye…Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ” (1 Peter 3:14–16).

The world may not agree with us—but they should not be able to deny our integrity. We must maintain a testimony that backs up our bold stand.

5. COMMITTED TO CHRIST’S POWER

Satan loves to whisper that if you stand for Christ, you’ll push people away from Him. He convinces timid believers that public witness is unkind, offensive, or unwise. And while we should never be brash or rude, we must also never be ashamed.

Daniel could have rationalized his way into compromise. After all, he didn’t have to pray with his windows open. He could’ve gone private for a month and still whispered prayers in secret. “God knows my heart,” he might’ve reasoned. “If I get eaten by lions, I won’t be able to influence anyone for the Lord.”

But Daniel didn’t flinch. He didn’t hide. He didn’t soften the truth to preserve his platform. He openly, faithfully, unashamedly prayed—just as he had always done.

We live in a world where many value winsomeness over witness. Some believers are waiting for the “perfect moment” to speak truth—and in the waiting, they never do. Others compromise truth in the name of influence, and in doing so, they forfeit both.

The Apostle Paul, writing in a culture of intellectual pride and religious pluralism, declared boldly, “For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth” (Romans 1:16).

We need that same courage today.

Let’s be clear: we don’t need to be obnoxious, but we do need to be obvious. Obvious in our allegiance to Christ. Obvious in our commitment to His Word. Obvious in our passion to share His gospel.

Daniel didn’t fear lions because he feared the Lord more. And he didn’t bow to pressure because he had already bowed to God. He refused to be ashamed.

DARE TO BE A DANIEL

Daniel did go to the lions. Once the decree was signed, it couldn’t be undone. Darius tried, but he couldn’t save Daniel. His enemies sealed him in the den with a stone and the king’s seal to ensure no one would intervene. But no one could stop God’s angel from stepping in and protecting His servant. Daniel later declared, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me” (Daniel 6:22).

Daniel trusted what we often forget: God is in control. There was no earthly way out—no person could help him. But God could. And He did. Still, God doesn’t always deliver in this way. Hebrews 11 tells of those who saw mighty miracles—“stopped the mouths of lions… escaped the edge of the sword…” (Hebrews 11:33-34). But then it shifts—others were tortured, mocked, imprisoned, and killed (vv. 35-38). The Bible says of these suffering saints, “of whom the world was not worthy.”

Persecution should not surprise us. Jesus said, “If the world hate you, ye know that it hated me before it hated you” (John 15:18). But He also promised His presence, “Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world” (Matthew 28:20).

David Livingstone, the missionary to Africa, endured great suffering to carry the gospel to unreached people. When he once returned to Scotland, he testified: “Would you like me to tell you what supported me through all the years of exile among a people whose language I could not understand and whose attitude toward me was always uncertain and often hostile? It was this: ‘Lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world!’ On these words I staked everything, and they never failed.”

He returned to Africa, continued his work, and mapped paths for future missionaries. When he died, he was found by his servants kneeling by his bed in prayer. Even in death, he was still calling on the God who never left him.

If we are going to stand for Christ—through opposition, persecution, or suffering—we must be sustained by prayer. Our greatest victories for God are not won in public, but in the quiet place. If we would dare to be a Daniel, we must first be willing to kneel.