April 20, 2008
Background Scripture: Daniel 6
Devotional Reading: Psalms 119:57-64

The story of Daniel in the lions’ den is one of many Bible “success” stories: Noah’s ark outlasts the flood, Isaac is spared the sacrificial knife, little David defeats gigantic Goliath and so forth.

In fact, I can think of only one story in the Bible in which a person of faith and God’s favor experiences failure instead of success: Jesus on the cross of Calvary.

Of course, Jesus on the cross was a failure – at least in the eyes of society – but Jesus resurrected from death and the tomb is a success story of the highest kind. The story of Jesus was initial or short-term failure versus ultimate or long-term success.

Christian discipleship does not keep us from the former, but it does guarantee us the latter. Unfortunately, it is all so easy to think and act only in terms of immediate success – of Daniel uneaten by the lions and freed alive and whole from the pit, of Jesus being saved at the last moment from crucifixion.

Ultimate results

The problem for us is that when we put short-term success ahead of long-term vindication, we are liable to be upset and even resentful against God when we experience initial failure: “What’s the point of keeping the faith if God isn’t going to save my marriage?” “Why should I pray for the sick if there’s no assurance they all will be healed?“ “I asked for a sign, but I didn’t get one.” ”I asked for peace, but instead, we went to war again?” “Why should I try to follow Jesus if the way leads to a cross?”

Personally, I never hesitate to offer intercessory prayer for people “dangerously,” even “hopelessly,” ill, injured or in trouble. Despite grim prognoses, some of these people will be healed and helped, while it would seem that others have not. For those who recover, I celebrate. And for those who do not, I try to understand that God has answered my prayers, although not in the way I had intended.
I have even learned that we need to pray not only to help people recover, but also to help people die. I pray, not so much to tell God what to do – let alone how to do it – but that I join Him in wanting the best possible result within the confines of His will.

The great success in the events of Daniel 6 was not his release unharmed from the lion’s den, but his refusal to turn his back on the Lord: “When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber toward Jerusalem; and he got down upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously” (6:10).

Presumably, Daniel prayed to escape from this grave crisis, but the writer tells us that he also “gave thanks.” He is facing a terrible ordeal that will surely cost his life and much pain and suffering, but he still gives thanks. This is a success considerably greater than being saved from the lion’s den.

False success

Daniel 6 begins with a success story that is not about true success. “It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty satraps … and over them three presidents. Of whom Daniel was one … Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other presidents and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”

Of course, this was short-term success and was to be followed soon by crisis: “Then the presidents and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom … We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.” (6:4).

His loyalty to God was Daniel’s Achilles Heel, because he was predictable. They didn’t have to guess what he would do when confronted with their charges, for they knew he would not be swayed.

Yes, that was his vulnerability, as it should be ours, but it is only superficially vulnerable. It was really his greatest asset and success. Is it yours?