Facing the Lions

We can think of the founders of our country here in the United States who literally put their lives on the line for the cause of our nation’s independence. We can think of good samaritans who put their lives on the line to help those who are in harms way. We can think of soldiers who are willing to die for the freedom of their country. What are you willing to die for?

This sounds easy - of course, I’d be willing to pay for something that I really love… but our lives? That’s quite a steep cost!

If you go back nearly 130 years to Turkey, there were nearly a million Christians and they were growing rapidly! However, in 1895 and 1896, the Turkish government gave orders for over 100,000 Christians killed. On April 24th, 1896, an order was given for 600,000 Christians to be killed. During this dark period, there was an 18 year old girl who escaped the country and received medical assistance. The aid worker examined her and found a cross burnt onto her shoulder and she asked about this. For 7 days in a row, this teenage girl was asked by Turkish soldiers this question: Muhammed or Christ? Each day she said Jesus - and each day they burnt her with a cross.

Finally on the 7th day, the soldiers said, “Tomorrow if you say Muhammed, you’ll live. If you say Jesus, you’ll die.” Her mind was made up - for 7 days she had said Jesus, and she wasn’t going to change on day 8. Jesus was willing to die for her, and she was willing to die for Him. The 8th day arrived and there was a commotion in the camp, and she and several others were able to make a run for the border. She was willing to die for her faith in Christ… and Christ delivered her from certain death.

But there are many Christians who weren’t delivered from this camp. In fact, there have been an estimated 2 million Christian martyrs since 2000. In the country of Nigeria, today, there are hundreds of thousands of Christians who are presently facing persecution from a group of Muslims. Just a few weeks ago, 200 Christians lost their lives. In our own country, we’ve seen shootings in churches. We’ve seen Charlie Kirk assassinated - and many say that’s political, but the man proclaimed the Gospel. Today, we see pastors being told that they can’t preach what the Bible says about certain topics like the sanctity of human life or the Biblical definition of marriage or gender. We see Christians in countries like China forced to worship underground, thrown into prison, and fined just for having a Bible that you and I carry around today.

I ask you again, what are you willing to die for?

This morning we arrive in Daniel 6 and we see this: God is faithful and able in every circumstance, and His faithfulness calls His people to stand firm in a fallen world. We find a man willing to die for his faith… and a man who was delivered from this den of death. How God is able to deliver Daniel. If you’re a Christian this morning, God has already delivered you from a den of death because of the finished work of Jesus Christ! Let’s read the first section of this chapter together, Daniel 6:1-9 - the Bible says

Daniel 6:1–9 CSB

1 Darius decided to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, stationed throughout the realm, 2 and over them three administrators, including Daniel. These satraps would be accountable to them so that the king would not be defrauded. 3 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. 4 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. 5 Then these men said, “We will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God.” 6 So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said to him, “May King Darius live forever. 7 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. 8 Therefore, Your Majesty, establish the edict and sign the document so that, as a law of the Medes and Persians, it is irrevocable and cannot be changed.” 9 So King Darius signed the written edict.

Faithful People Display Devotion (1-9)

As we remember the context of the book of Daniel, we remember that this was written at a time when the people of Israel were in exile. There was a temptation to think that God has abandoned them and that they must compromise and fit in and go with the flow of society in order to get a leg up. In fact, in Daniel 5, we discover that the Babylonians are defeated by the Persians, and there would have likely been even greater pressure to give into these comforts and pressures of a new power and leader. Daniel had been in Babylon for nearly 70 years by this point and by now was well into his 80s. He was in Babylon but he never became a Babylonian. He was in this world but he was not of this world. But this didn’t stop him from desiring to honor God and be a productive citizen. As Jeremiah 29 reminds us of the responsibility of these Jewish exiles

Jeremiah 29:7 CSB

7 Pursue the well-being of the city I have deported you to. Pray to the Lord on its behalf, for when it thrives, you will thrive.”

Because of Daniel’s devotion to God, he was also a devoted and diligent worker. Working for the betterment of Babylon and now Persia. His rivals couldn’t say that he slacked off or was a double agent trying to sabotage things from the inside like we might think of in a modern spy or military movie today. This isn’t Daniel. In fact, our text tells us that Daniel had an extraordinary spirit as a worker and the king wanted to place him over the whole kingdom! Even in a foreign land with a pagan king, miles away from home, he was a faithful worker. Alistair Begg shared, “If Daniel could find a way to serve well in exile - to seek the common good, to obey the state wherever he could, to give his time and talents to seeing Babylon flourish - then we can serve well too.” Now, this isn’t a call to be supremely devoted to our state and to compromise on God’s Word, that’s not right. But it also doesn’t mean that we stand on God’s Word boldly and, in the mean time, run for our bunker in Bunker (did you know there is a town in Missouri called Bunker? That’s perfect for some people!). That might be your ideal situation, but God commands His people to be salt and light and to make disciples of our neighbors and the nations! This requires us to exalt our Savior engage with our neighbors and the nations and the main way we do this is by working and talking. So, we must serve and we must serve well. We honor God and display devotion to Him by doing things well.

1 Corinthians 10:31 CSB

31 So, whether you eat or drink, or whatever you do, do everything for the glory of God.

Daniel had a different motivation from those around him. He is in his 80s by this time, he isn’t the teenager of chapter 1 anymore. He isn’t serving our of selfish motives. He is serving to glorify God. To represent God well. This is why he stands out. He wanted to be obedient to God and to his king, in so far as obedience to the king didn’t cause him to sin. He worked hard and God blessed that hard work and these rivals couldn’t find any dirt on Daniel! He was faithful. He worked hard. He didn’t cut corners. So, these opponents realize that they have to go after his faith. This sounds similar to chapter 3, doesn’t it? The officials tattle on Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego because they didn’t bow because bowing meant sinning. They stood and faced the fiery furnace because they would rather die than disobey God! Here Daniel is going to be forced to do the same thing. These opponents conspire a plan because they want Daniel dead… they propose to the king an idea in verse 6. For 30 days, everyone must worship the king alone. What would you do? Either Daniel continues to pray or he compromises on his faith.

As you look at your life, what are you devoted to? Daniel was devoted to prayer. Daniel wasn’t mean. He wasn’t rude. He wasn’t a jerk for Jesus… but he also wasn’t a coward for Christ. He stood on Scripture. He worshipped his God. And he worked hard for the king. Hear this: Whenever you live faithfully for Jesus, you should expect opposition. This is what Scripture tells us

2 Timothy 3:12 CSB

12 In fact, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted.

It doesn’t say most or some, but all! Students, if you stand on what the Bible says about gender, you will be mocked. Adults, if you stand on what the Bible says about marriage, you will be mocked. If you as a believer say that Jesus is the only way to be saved, you will be mocked! But our motivation isn’t to fit in… it’s to please God. To seek first HIs Kingdom. Glorifying God made Daniel a better administrator. A better worker. A more trusted advisor. So often we want to get better at something - myself, how can I be a better father? A better husband? A better pastor? Daniel helps us answer these: Become a better believer, first. See, whenever we are devoted to God first, everything else falls into its proper place. Prioritize God first and whenever you do this, you begin to stand out. Let’s see how Daniel responds to this new law in verse 10

Daniel 6:10–15 CSB

10 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. 11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. 12 So they approached the king and asked about his edict: “Didn’t you sign an edict that for thirty days any person who petitions any god or man except you, the king, will be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “As a law of the Medes and Persians, the order stands and is irrevocable.” 13 Then they replied to 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.” 14 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. 15 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.”

Faithful People Prioritize Prayer (10-15)

We see that Daniel learns of what has taken place in verse 10. Again, he was not consulted in this decision despite his position of authority. He became aware - he learned… but notice what he didn’t do. He didn’t pout. He didn’t confront his rivals. He didn’t go home and cry. Instead, he went home and prayed. When his moment arrived, when it was his Daniel 3 situation, we read that Daniel did what he had done before. He prayed. Because Daniel prioritized prayer.

I’ve never run a marathon before, and genuinely have no desire or intention to ever do so because the first marathon runner literally died afterward and that’s all I need to know that I don’t need to run one either! However, I have some family members and some pastor friends who enjoy running marathons. In talking with them about this, it’s not like you wake up one morning and just say that you’re going to run 26.2 miles… you train for a long time! You start with smaller sections, then you grow to medium sections, and before you know it, you’re running 10-15 miles with no issues… because you started somewhere. Donald Whitney has an incredible book on Spiritual Disciplines and shared that this is how it is with spiritual disciplines. You usually just don’t wake up one day and become excellent at reading your Bible, or praying, or serving others… but you start somewhere. If you struggle with praying, the best thing to do is to pray. You build that discipline. And after a while, it’s just what you do. Daniel had practiced this discipline for 70 years… and look at the fruit of that discipline.

Look at what Daniel does - he doesn’t panic, he prays. He goes home to his upper room and he prays toward Jerusalem as 1 Kings 8:48-49 talks about. Now in this culture the upper room likely was on the roof of the home, it would’ve had extra air circulation during warm summer days. Being on the roof, it also would’ve been easily visible for others. It was a public place. See, Daniel could’ve just changed where he prayed. He could’ve decided that for those 30 days, he would only pray downstairs, or right before bed, so that no one would see. But like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, Daniel doesn’t do the “I’ll bow in public but stand in private” justification in his mind… He is devoted to God and believes that he must pray. What would you do?

I’m reminded of our brothers and sisters in places like China today who are gathering to worship Jesus, but they are doing so at the risk of their lives. They are forced to choose to either obey Jesus or obey the state which hates Jesus. I’m reminded of Peter and the disciples in Acts 5 as they were told by the Jewish leaders to stop talking about Jesus Christ! Peter replied in verse 29 by saying that we must obey God and not you all. There is such a temptation to cower down and omit uncomfortable truths in Scripture. I’ve lost more sleep over that with Christins than non-Christians. How do I preach this text? How do I explain this doctrine? Because there are some biblical truths that folks in 2025 just don’t like. You know this! What do we do? Like Daniel, like Peter, we live for the approval of heaven, not the applause of humans. Standing on God’s Word historically has cost Christians much! I love this, though, notice what Daniel did in verse 10 - he prayed just as he had prayed before. His mind was already made up - Christian character is not necessarily forged in adversity, it is revealed in adversity. When things got hard, Daniel relied on muscle memory. He did what he had always done - he obeyed God. He didn’t panic - He prayed. We aren’t told everything that he prayed for - likely he prayed for strength and wisdom to do what was right. Maybe for the king to come to know God. But we are told that he gave thanks to God. Can you imagine this? These people have conspired against you - they want to see you die, literally - and the law says you can’t pray… and whenever you do pray, you thank God! How can Daniel do this? This seems crazy.

Matthew 5:43–44 CSB

43 “You have heard that it was said, Love your neighbor and hate your enemy. 44 But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you,

What does this mean? There is no one you are able to hate and there is no one you can’t pray for. Remember as a teenager, Daniel determined he wouldn’t defile himself. Now, as a senior saint, Daniel won’t worship an idol. Daniel knew the cost of being obedient to God. He knew the danger that followed this… he also knew the power of his God. Just as God had provided before, he knew that God could provide again and that God would answer in the best way possible - so he prays… and verse 11 tells us that he was caught.

Their plan worked. Daniel was caught and they tell the king and we see that the king was upset and displeased. He realizes what these leaders had done. He also realized that he was powerless to help Daniel! The most powerful king on the planet had no power to save Daniel… but thankfully, Daniel trusted in someone infinitely more powerful than a king. He was a servant of the Living God! He knew that a den of lions was no match for God’s power, just as the fiery furnace was no match for God’s power either.

Daniel prays - even knowing that praying meant certain death. He prays. Whenever you’ve faced difficult situations, what has your response been? Jonathan Edwards made a list of resolutions that he started as a teenager and added to over the years. By the time he was finished, he had 70 resolutions that he reminded himself of weekly. Listen to the first one

Resolution #1: I will do whatsoever I think to be most to God’s glory and my own good, profit, and pleasure in the whole of my duration without any consideration of the time or difficulties.

His weekly prayer was to glorify God because he knew that whenever God was glorified, it would be for his good. Christian, let this be our prayer daily - that we would do what most glorifies God because that is our ultimate good, regardless of the time or the cost or the difficulty. Even if it meant death, Daniel choose to glorify God.

3rd, those with Biblical faith

Daniel 6:16–18 CSB

16 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!” 17 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. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No diversions were brought to him, and he could not sleep.

Faithful People Serve Supremely (16-18)

Next in our text we see this cost. The time has come. Actions have consequences. The king brings Daniel before him and was forced by his own law - as bad as he finally realized as it was - to throw Daniel into the lion’s den. Look at what the king says to Daniel, “May your God, whom you continually serve, rescue you!” This is quite a statement. For one, Daniel continually serves his God. Not just when it’s convenient. He serves his God faithfully even when its costly. This is his legacy to this king - one who serves his God continually. The king doesn’t say, “You’re a faithful servant of mine.” He stresses his service of his own God - one that Darius didn’t worship, at least to this point. Darius, was hopeful. Daniel was not just hopeful, he was at peace. Now, doesn’t this sound similar to chapter 3? A servant of God being thrown into a den of death?

What did we learn in chapter 3? God can rescue! But we don’t always know that God will. Daniel is confident in the power of God and he trusted in the will of God, regardless of what happened. But still, we’re talking about a den of lions. Can you imagine?

Have you ever gone to the zoo and seen a Lion exhibit? Lions are ferocious. Fearsome. Fascinating. You look at them with wonder in your eyes as they walk or run in the exhibit but when they start to approach you, I’ve seen many people take a step or two back even with that thick glass protecting them… Remove that glass. Everyone starts running in terror. These lions represent certain death. Not possible death. Certain death. Serving Jesus will cost you. Jesus Himself said that following Him requires us to take up our cross - that means to die.

Is Jesus worth it?

Dietrich Bonhoeffer, “Every Christian has his own cross waiting for him, a cross destined and appointed by God. Each must endure his alloted share of suffering and rejection.” We were never promised an easy life. We were promised a life of trouble in this sinful and broken world. This is why Jesus told His followers that they must deny themselves and pick up their cross daily and follow Him! There will be no crown wearers who were not first cross bearers.

Today, as you look at your life, who are you serving? Do you find yourself serving yourself or your Savior?

Christians display devotion, prioritize prayer, and serve Jesus supremely, because we know that our God is Able! Let’s see how He responds

Daniel 6:19–28 CSB

19 At the first light of dawn the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 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?” 21 Then Daniel spoke with the king: “May the king live forever. 22 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.” 23 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. 24 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. 25 Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who live on the whole earth: “May your prosperity abound. 26 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. 27 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.” 28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Faithful People Trust That God is Able (19-28)

We’ve seen that Darius was not able to save Daniel from going into the den of lions. He was bound by the law. There are some things that you and I will never be able to do. Biologically, as a male, I will never be able to give birth to a child. Physically, you and I aren’t able to make something come out of nothing. Spiritually, you and I aren’t able to save ourselves from our sin. Emotionally, you and I aren’t able to always know how things are going to work out… but, brother and sisters, God is different. HE is able! Darius asks if God has been able to save Daniel… we know the answer, don’t we? Of course! How can God deliver Daniel from death? Darius says that Daniel is the servant of the “Living God.” Friends, our God is alive! He isn’t the God of plastic, stone, or gold, He is the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! Daniel explains what happened

“My God sent His angel and shut the lion’s mouths, and they haven’t harmed me.”

The text doesn’t say how long the angel had been there — but the point is clear: Daniel wasn’t alone. God didn’t remove the lions; He restrained them. God didn’t lift Daniel out immediately; He stayed with him through the night.

That’s a word for someone this morning. Sometimes God delivers from the trial; sometimes He delivers through it. Either way, He delivers. He always comes through! Think about these lions - lions are fierce, but God turns them into large lambs. God saved Daniel. He delivered Daniel. He was with Daniel… God remains with His people today - in the pit. Daniel was powerless, but he trusted in his God. Remember that our outcomes in life don’t rest on our character, but on God’s. There are things that we can’t fix. Problems we can’t solve. Situations we can’t complete… but God can… and God does. Whatever you’re facing today, God is able. Maybe today you feel like you’re in a pit. Maybe a cave. You feel alone, cold, hopeless…

When you’re in the cave, the acoustics are ideal for worship. Current River… The sound bounces and builds and is stronger than if you were in an open field… this is how it is whenever we worship at rock bottom. The acoustics in the pit are primed for a powerful noise of praise!

Throughout this book and throughout history, there are people who think that they have all the power. That they are sovereign. They have everything under control. King after King, generation after generation, nation after nation… people today still think this way, but look at Daniel 2:21

Daniel 2:21 CSB

21 He changes the times and seasons; he removes kings and establishes kings. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding.

It’s not our power in the first place. God gives power, and God takes power away. God exalts and God humbles. God is in control! This isn’t a call to be lazy, but it is a call to realistic. This is our call to obey His Word. AW Tozer once said this, “While it looks like things are out of control, behind the scenes there is a God who hasn’t surrendered His authority.” So, if God has all power, then why do we see that sometimes God’s people are delivered and other times they aren’t?

Could it be that God has something better in store? Could it be that God’s plan is best? What is God’s plan? A permanent healing from the stain of sin. A forever home in glory. A Kingdom that will never be shaken. We may never see these promises in our lifetime, but we can rest assured that God will accomplish them! We trust that just as God rescued the 3 from the fiery furnace, He still rescues people from the furnace of hell. Just as God shut the mouth of these lions, He continues to shut the mouth of the roaring lion seeking to devour us. We believe the promise of Romans 8 that nothing can separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord! When you stand for Jesus, you win every single time. Either Daniel would be delivered from the tomb or Daniel would be delivered to the throne room - either way, Daniel was going to win! South Gate, whenever we face the lions, all we have to be concerned about is being faithful to Jesus. In your relationships with others, be faithful to Jesus. In your families, be faithful to Jesus. In your jobs, be faithful to Jesus. At school, be faithful to Jesus. When you do this, you Win! We know how the story ends. We might feel Anxious. Angry. Afraid. Everyone has emotions, but emotions are erratic and they aren’t always reliable. They can feed fear or they can fuel faith - this is why Scripture reminds us to fix our eyes on the things above, not on earthly things. When we look up, what do we see?

God helps us stand firm in a fallen world. Friends, there is victory in Jesus. There is hope in Jesus. There is life in Jesus! Whatever you’re facing today, Jesus is good. Jesus is greater. Jesus is better.

Tim Keller typology between Daniel and Jesus:

Jesus is the true and better Daniel who too was conspired against by powerful rivals.

Jesus is the true and better Daniel who was found guilty of transgressing a law. Both were unsuccessfully rescued from the political leaders in their day.

Jesus is the true and better Daniel who trusted fully in God’s plan and power.

Jesus is the true and better Daniel who descended into a den of death.

Jesus is the true and better Daniel who actually died in the grave, but was raised to life by His Father.

Jesus is the true and better Daniel who not only encourages people from temporary exile, but who encourages all of God’s people that this world and the den of death is not the end.

Jesus is better - Jesus not only went into the den of death, but He rose victoriously from the grave. He delivers those who put their trust in Him from certain death and eternal destruction. This encourages us to stand on His Word, and trust in His will.

We can stand with Paul who said this in 1 Corinthians 15 - Thanks be to God who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ! We might live in a world that celebrates the wrong things. We might live in a fallen world that is broken by sin. But like Daniel, we can stand on God’s Word. We can stand our ground. We can speak the truth in love. We can remember that wrong has an expiration date and that God, one day, will make all the wrongs right.

Daniel 6 teaches us that character still counts. We learn that lions still roar—but the Lion of Judah still reigns.

In a world that values comfort, God calls us to conviction. In a culture that rewards compromise, God calls us to courage. In a society that mocks prayer, God calls us to persistence.

Friend, maybe today you find yourself in a den of your own. Maybe it’s fear, anxiety, guilt, or shame. Maybe you’ve been fighting lions that seem too strong to face.

The message of Daniel 6 is not “Be brave like Daniel.” It’s “Trust the God who was faithful to Daniel.”

That same God sent His Son, Jesus, into the den of death for you. He went in sinless but came out victorious. And now, through His resurrection, He offers you deliverance—not just from lions, but from sin, death, and hell itself.

If you have never trusted Jesus Christ as your Savior, hear His invitation today: Turn from your sins, believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved! If you already know Him, let Daniel’s example rekindle your devotion.

Whenever you face the lions,

Pray Diligently - God hears your prayers, even when they aren’t immediately answered, as we’ll see next week! Pray and keep praying.

Trust Accordingly - Serve God and leave the results to His determination, trust that He is good and that He works all things for His glory and your good!

Worship Faithfully - Even when difficult times come, choose today that you will worship. You will pray. You will read Scripture. You will submit to God’s Word.

What are you willing to die for? For Daniel, it was clear, he was willing to die for his faith in God… what about you and me? Remember when your moment arrives, that when you stand for Jesus, you Win!

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