Sustaining God’s Will—Integrity and Habit

Habits: Bad or Good

Does anyone have any bad habits? (biting nails, picking you nose...)

I have a habit of rubbing my feet on the carpet, especially after I first take my shoes off.

What about good habits?

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Do you know how long it takes to make for something to become a habit?

Most people say 21 days or 3 weeks. But that isn’t really correct.

“A hallmark 2009 study on habit creation found that habits developed in a range of 18 to 254 days; participants reported taking an average of about 66 days to reliably incorporate one of three new daily activities—eating a piece of fruit with lunch, drinking a bottle of water with lunch or running for 15 minutes before dinner.”

It is more like 2-3 months or more according to this study.

But then the article makes another claim:

“Consistent daily repetition was the biggest factor influencing whether a behavior would become part of an automatic daily routine.”

“A 2015 study found that new gym-goers had to exercise at least four times a week for six weeks in order to develop an exercise habit.”

Consistency is the key to forming new habits in life.

That is probably not a revolutionary idea for you.

We all know that doing something over and over again is going to make it more a part of our life, to the point we do it without thinking.

But it is important for us to be reminded of it.

Daniel in the Lion’s Den

Probably the most wellknown story about Daniel comes in chapter 6 (chapter 3 is also REALLY wellknown).

Daniel is MUCH older in chapter 6. Most agree that chapter 6 is 66 years after the events of chapter 1.

So Daniel is likely an old man (maybe as old as 80) by chapter 6.

He has been in Babylon for almost his whole life.

And he has been quite successful, and even more so as we begin chapter 6.

Daniel 6:1–3 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.

Daniel was going to be basically the vice king of Babylon, only reporting to the king.

God had put Daniel into a place of influence and that is both awesome AND dangerous.

Daniel 6:4–9 CSB

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.

He had a target on his back and now the governors and other administrators were looking for a way to take him out.

And the plan was to trick the king into making an edict they knew would force Daniel to either stop practicing his faith in such a public way and to, in a sense, give in a bit to the pressure to conform, or he would have to go against the king’s edict and be thrown in the lion’s den.

I would imagine most of us won’t be faced with the level of risk Daniel was faced with here (at least I prayer none of us do).

But we do face situations and circumstances in our life that challenge what we believe and/or tempt us to compromise our pursuit of God.

It could be a difficult life event (losing someone, getting hurt, a break up, or a failure of some kind).

Or it could be an opportunity (a relationship, a job, a position on a team...)

Or it could be shift in life (graduation, moving, starting a new season of life)

Each of those present a challenge to us of faithfulness. And it is often in those moments or season that our pursuit of God is at risk.

What will Daniel do when his position in the king’s court is at risk?

What will he do when his life is on the line?

Daniel 6:10 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.

The last line of that verse is SO important (You should highlight and underline it)

Daniel did “just as he had done before”

It almost sounds like Daniel made a big show of his prayer time, but that wasn’t the case.

Every day Daniel went to his house, opened the upstairs windows of his house that pointed toward Jerusalem, got on his knees, and prayed three times a day, giving thanks to his God.

This was a Thursday for Daniel, nothing had changed.

I have been reading a book by David and Jason Benham called “Living Among Lions”.

They are brothers who both played baseball in the minor leagues and then developed a construction company that got them a deal with TLC.

But before the show ever premiered, TLC cancelled it because of their Christian stance on abortion and sexuality became public.

They have a real life story of what Daniel experienced in Babylon.

In the book, they talk about how the simple, everyday habits and rhythms of life prepare us for moments when our faith is tested.

Let’s read on:

Daniel 6:11–18 CSB

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.” 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.

Daniel’s spiritual discipline gave him strength to stand firm when challenged.

"Daniel’s discipline didn’t start when he got to Babylon. His integrity didn't come to him when he was in the fiery furnace or the lion's den. It was cultivated in the private life of his relationship with God long before he was ever tested in the public square.” - David and Jason Benham “Living Among Lions”

The Lion's Den (Courage) was possible because of the commitment he made back in chapter 1.

It was honed in his trust and submission to the Lord in chapter 2.

It was strengthened in he and his friends resolve in Chapter 3

And you will see Daniel’s discipline and faith in chapters 4 and 5.

It was possible because Daniel sought to know God through staying engaged in the Word of God, staying connected in prayer, staying attached to God’s people, and refusing to let the world around him define his identity, God’s identity, and what was true.

Daniel was "faithful in the den because he practiced being faithful before it."

The Reward

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.

Daniel 6:19-28 is a powerful conclusion to the story, showing the dramatic results of Daniel’s faithfulness and resolve. Here’s what we can learn from these verses:

God’s Protection and Deliverance

Daniel’s survival in the lions’ den is a clear demonstration of God’s power and protection.

When King Darius rushed to the den at dawn, he found Daniel unharmed because God had shut the mouths of the lions (Daniel 6:22).

This miracle wasn’t just for Daniel’s sake—it became a testimony to the king and the entire kingdom that God is truly alive and active, able to rescue and deliver His people even in the most dire circumstances.

Integrity and Reputation

Daniel’s integrity was not just a private virtue; it had public consequences.

His enemies were exposed and punished, while Daniel’s reputation for faithfulness was vindicated before the king and the nation.

This teaches that living with integrity—being the same person in private and public—ultimately brings honor and protection, even when it’s costly.

The Impact of Faithfulness

Daniel’s faithfulness led to a decree from King Darius, commanding all people to fear and reverence the God of Daniel (Daniel 6:26-27).

This shows that our steadfastness can have a ripple effect, influencing others and even changing the culture around us.

When we remain faithful, God uses our lives to point others to His greatness.

Practical Lessons

Consistency matters: Daniel’s daily prayer habit prepared him for the crisis.

Spiritual disciplines are not just for emergencies—they shape our character for every challenge.

God is trustworthy: Even when the outcome is uncertain, trusting God leads to peace and protection.

Faithfulness has consequences: Our choices can impact not only our own lives but also those around us, sometimes in ways we never expect.

Questions for Reflection

What daily or weekly habits would help you grow closer to God?

What gets in the way of consistent prayer or reading Scripture?

How could you build accountability—a friend, leader, parent—who encourages you when things get tough?