Daniel was one of the youths of royal or noble seed, who were carried captive by Nebuchadnezzar in the third year of Jehoiakim, king of Judah. These youths were without blemish; well favored, skilful in all wisdom, endued with knowledge, and understanding science, and such as had ability to stand in the king’s palace. The king commanded to teach them the knowledge and tongue of the Chaldeans; and appointed for them a daily portion of the king’s food and of the wine, which he drank. After having been thus nourished for three years, they were to stand before the king. Daniel found favour with the king because he was successful in all he does. So much so that people became jealous of him and looked for ways to harm him.
(Dan 6:3-9 NIV) Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. {4} At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. {5} Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” {6} So the administrators and the satraps went as a group to the king and said: “O King Darius, live forever! {7} The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. {8} Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered–in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” {9} So King Darius put the decree in writing.
Daniel was so steadfast in his walk with God that he would not allow any valley experience to affect it. When he knew that he would be in danger of death for disobeying the king’s order to pray to no other god except him, he did not compromise. As a result, the king ordered that Daniel be thrown into the lion’s den.
Daniel had a disciplined prayer life. Our prayers are usually interrupted discontinued when we get depressed in the valley of our life. Don’t let that happen to you. Pray regularly, no matter what, for prayer is your lifeline to God.
(Dan 6:10-16 NIV) Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. {11} Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. {12} So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands–in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” {13} Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.” {14} When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. {15} Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, “Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues 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 serve continually, rescue you!”
Because Daniel was thrown into the valley of his life not because of sin but as a result of doing what was right, he enjoyed the protection of God. The other thing that protected Daniel was his steadfast trust in God.
(Dan 6:19-23 NIV) At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. {20} When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” {21} Daniel answered, “O king, live forever! {22} My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king.” {23} The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
Our valley experiences are opportunities that God can use to prove that nothing is impossible for Him. The king had put a seal on the stone that covers the mouth of the den so that there is no possibility of escape. But Daniel serves a God of impossibilities. Commit your valley experiences to God because nothing is impossible for Him.
(Dan 6:17 NIV) A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed.
God also used the valley experience of Daniel to glorify Himself. As a result of this incident, the people of the entire kingdom have to revere the God of Daniel.
(Dan 6:25-27 NIV) Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: “May you prosper greatly! {26} “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. {27} He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”