Enough Evidence to Convict you

Introduction

A popular slogan that often appears on church billboards and signs reads, “If you were arrested for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?” When people look at my life and your life, do they see Jesus? If they see Jesus in our lives is it a Biblical view of Him or have we put Him into a box? Maybe we are like Peter on the night when Jesus was betrayed and when pressure comes down we will go the other way. Daniel had a faith in the One True God and he had the evidences of his faith throughout his whole life. He had a consistent faithfulness in his talk and in his walk. Now in his 80s he still had a consistent faith in God and an integrity in his work and life. So much so that ever other administrator and government wanted to find something to accuse him of. King Darius who was now the ruler of the Babylonian region was about to promote Daniel to second in command under him, but the other governors and leadership did not want this to come to be. Yet, they could find skeletons in his closet, no dirt, no corruption in Daniel. They knew the only thing they could do was to entrap him by making a law that would go against his God’s law and a scheme was hatched.

Daniel 6:6–9 NKJV

So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.

The decree was proposed. For 30 days no petition or prayer to any god or person for a month except for King Darius! Anyone caught violating this would be thrown into the den of lions.

While this is being done, Daniel knows what is happening. They have gone behind his back and have plotted to get rid of him from their lives.

Jeremiah 12:1–2 NKJV

Righteous are You, O Lord, when I plead with You; Yet let me talk with You about Your judgments. Why does the way of the wicked prosper? Why are those happy who deal so treacherously? You have planted them, yes, they have taken root; They grow, yes, they bear fruit. You are near in their mouth But far from their mind.

So how does Daniel respond?

Daniel 6:10— The Response of Daniel

Daniel 6:10 NKJV

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

10 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.

New Living Translation Chapter 6

10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.

He heard what was happening. That it had been signed into law. What he did not do:

Go complain or argue

Attack the people who schemed

He didn’t run away for 30 days. He needs a vacation.

He didn’t close his windows in his house.

He could have done all of this.

What he did was. He went home. In his second floor room, opened his windows toward the west (toward Jerusalem), knelt down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before God. It had been his custom since the days of his youth. NLT “just as he had always done.”

His worship was not predicated on the law or what had been signed in.

So often when some injustice (real or imaginary) happens our first thought is to go to Facebook and complain about it or argue with the people who have the opposite view point.

Maybe we should take a page out of Daniel and get on our knees before the LORD and pray to Him and give thanks to Him and ask Him how or if we should respond. Daniel was going to be able to respond to this, but it was done by praying to God.

Plan is working 11-12

Daniel 6:11–12 NKJV

Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”

Those who want the power and position have lined up their attack and their plan is working knowing the character of Daniel. They know he will not worship anyone other than his God. They have been observing him and now they lie and wait and see what they already knew he would do.

Psalm 71:9–11 NKJV

Do not cast me off in the time of old age; Do not forsake me when my strength fails. For my enemies speak against me; And those who lie in wait for my life take counsel together, Saying, “God has forsaken him; Pursue and take him, for there is none to deliver him.”

They run back to the king and make sure that the king still agrees with the law that has been made. Is it still so? The King agrees that the 30 day rule and the fact that it cannot be altered is still in affect.

The governors have both Daniel and the King exactly where they want both of them to be. They move in for the kill.

Entrapment

Daniel 6:13 NKJV

So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

A Way Out?

Daniel 6:14–15 NKJV

And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

English Standard Version Chapter 6

14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.”

1 Corinthians 10:12–14 NKJV

Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall. No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Therefore, my beloved, flee from idolatry.

The Faith of the King

Daniel 6:16–17 NKJV

So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.

English Standard Version Chapter 6

16 Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.

A Long Night

Daniel 6:18 NKJV

Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.

The New King James Version (Chapter 6)

19 Then the king arose very early in the morning...

Application / Conclusion