“Now the king was exceedingly glad for him,
and commanded that they should take Daniel up
out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of
the den, and no injury whatever was found on
him, because he believed in his God.”
Daniel 6:23
Daniel’s test is over. I Corinthians 10:13 says
“God isfaithful, 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.”
Now the king was exceedingly glad for him
Darius is besides himself with joy. His failure in passing an evil law has not caused the
death of his most trusted servant. He found out who his true loyal
servant is and who are his enemies. Most importantly he received
proof that Daniel’s God is living, powerful and able. That is enough to
bring great joy to Darius’ heart.
Commanded that they should take Daniel up out
of the den Darius gives the command to bring
Daniel up out of the den. This indicates the
use of a ladder or rope to bring him up out of
a sunken pit. Spiritually this reminds us of
what God does for his faithful servant. –
“lifts them up and puts their feet upon a rock”
So Daniel was taken up out of the den The king
is frantic to get Daniel out of the den. His
servants quickly lower a rope or ladder into
the den to get Daniel out rather than wait for
the stone to be removed from the mouth of the
den. (God can turn things around very quickly!)
No injury whatever was found on him Daniel is
carefully examined and his elderly body shows
the full protection of God’s care. There is no
injury (this can be translated hurt or damages),
no scratches, bites or any other injuries. God
allowed his servant to suffer only so much and
then no more.
Because he believed in his God We come to the
key phrase in the chapter. Why was Daniel
delivered? What did God want Darius to observe
in the life of Daniel? How did Daniel please
God through this test? The answer to all those
questions is faith. Scripture tells us that
without faith it is “impossible” to please God.
Daniel trusted God in the most dire circumstances.
Why did he do that? He knew God’s ability to
deliver him, (exactly the question Darius asked).
He trusted God’s will to do what God knew was
right. Our faith in God allows the power and
reality of our God to be revealed to others.
Hebrews 11:33 says by faith some “stopped the
mouths of lions”. Think of this situation from
Daniel’s perspective. He had done the right
thing, honored the king, kept God’s word by not
taking from the king what did not belong to him,
he was innocent but accused falsely then punished and faced death for obeying God. He could have thrown up his hands and claimed this was not fair or just. He could have asked “why is all this happening to me?”. Instead Daniel trusted God. He knew God is good, he knew it was not his responsibility to judge others – that belonged to God. So he obeyed and waited on God to act. What was the result? Daniel was instrumental in bringing the leaders of the world’s greatest empire to faith in the living and true God (like Nebuchadnezzar).
Would Daniel say his suffering was worth it?
Absolutely! So would God (and Darius)!