At the very beginning of the Babylonian captivity, Daniel decided he would continue to be faithful to God. Even when the Babylonians desired to feed him the best of the king's delicacies, he refused to eat. Through his determination to be faithful, he proved that God was with him (Daniel 1:8-16). Daniel's good reputation brought him to a trusted position in the king's service. Even though he was in captivity, Daniel would not compromise his faith.
When Daniel received a promotion, not everyone was thrilled. The governors and satraps sought to find some charge to bring against him. What did they conclude? "...We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God." {Daniel 6:5} So they devised a plan. "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." {Daniel 6:7-9}
The men were counting on the king's pride and Daniel's faith to ensure the success of their plan. And it seemed to be working. "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." {Daniel 6:10} Daniel kept his faith intact. Then the men brought to King Darius the news that Daniel had failed to obey his decree. The king labored long and hard to come up with a way to avoid punishing Daniel for disobeying his decree. The men reminded him that it was unlawful, once a decree was established, to change it.
Hear the king's words as Daniel goes into the lions' den. "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." {Daniel 6:17} Daniel's faithfulness to God left a lasting impression on the king! The king spent the night fasting, and his sleep went from him. In the morning, when he came to the den, Daniel said: "...O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you." {Daniel 6:21,22} The king took those men who had brought this charge against Daniel and threw them and their families into the den. The lions overpowered them and broke their bones before they reached the bottom of the den!
Because of Daniel's faithfulness, the king decreed that all in the kingdom must tremble and fear the God of Daniel (Daniel 6:25-28). Daniel, knowing his fate after that first decree was signed, did not allow it to alter his faith. We must not be "reactionary" Christians. Our actions are not determined by what others do, but by what God has commanded! The people around us will make their choices concerning God, but what they choose should not affect what we do. Daniel's unwavering faith is an example of the type of faith we must have, no matter what the world decides. Do you have a faith like Daniel's?