“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.” Daniel 6:13
The highest point of joy for Satan and his followers is when they think they have defeated God and his followers. This reminds us of the only time during the tribulation when the world expresses joy. That occurs after the murder of God’s two witnesses in the middle of the seven years. We see this same glee (at least inwardly) in the 122 leaders when they explain to the king who the first, and probably only, victim of his ill-conceived law will be. (By the way, in nether case – the tribulation or in Daniel 6 – does the joy last but for an instant.)
So they answered and said before the king The king has just
played the macho man in front of his cabinet. Yes he signed the law
and yes, violators will die. The administrators and satraps crowd
around the king. We have a violator with multiple witness and proof.
That Daniel Note the derision in the accusation. That Daniel, the
one you think is so very loyal to you, that one is not what he pretends to be, he won’t worship you.
Who is one of the captives from Judah The derision continues. The one you think so highly of is not even a true citizen. He was taken captive by the Babylonians. (The implication is he should not even be a senior leader and his actions prove it.) They imply, and are right, he is not one of them.
Does not show due regard for you, O king The mob continues. This Daniel is one thing to your face but a very different person in his actions. He is not loyal to you. He does not show regard to your position as the ultimate ruler of the land. (Interesting this is both true and false. Daniel does show regard to the king in all areas except where it violates God’s word. Where God has spoken, Daniel will follow Him alone as the ultimate ruler.)
Or for the decree that you have signed Like today, the mob becomes incensed over what they know is not important. The mob states how they believe Daniel expressed his disregard for the king as ruler. He willfully disobeyed the king’s commandment. Isn’t that interesting? The same thing that the Lord tells us is the indicator that we love him (keep his commandments) is the exact behavior that the mob tells the kings is the indicator Daniel does not respect the king. Here we see that Satan wants everything that is God’s. He wants us us to worship him instead of God and he wants us to obey him instead of God. Right is wrong and wrong is right under Satanic rule.
But makes his petition three times a day The mob uses facts to drive the accusation even deeper. There are repeated offenses – this is a serious criminal! That make sure the king knows this is not a one time occurrence (even though God’s word tells us they only observed Daniel praying one time.) They are so sure of Daniel’s faithfulness to God that they count on him to pray three times a day as was his practiceeven if they did not actually observe it. Again it is interesting to note that they use Daniel’s faithfulness in prayer to condemn him. It was all they could find to condemn him but it shows us clearly how different darkness and light are.
What can we learn? Despite the danger he was in Daniel recognized that difference between light and darkness. He knew he was engaged in spiritual warfare. This battle for ultimate authority was why he would not, could not, compromise God’s commandments and that was why the world hated him. The Lord warned us. Hate is always the result for those who choose to follow Him.