July 8: LAYING A SNARE

So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. Daniel 6:4

There is no explaining the mystery of iniquity (2 Thessalonians 2:7). The fidelity manifested in Daniel’s service to the king incited hatred from other leading men of the kingdom. Behind the thoughts and actions of the satraps and other governors were satanic agencies, ready to seize upon any error or mistake in Daniel’s work, even a clerical one, in the desire to destroy him. But Daniel carried out his tasks with such excellence that only good was found to report about him.

Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” (v.5) Daniel’s blameless conduct awakened a sense of resentment and jealousy in his peers. Inspired by the enemy of souls, they contrived a plan that would make Daniel appear to disrespect and dishonor the king.

So these governors and satraps thronged before the king and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 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.” (vv.6-7)

The tumultuous manner of their entry into the court was calculated to flatter the king and appeal to his vanity. The use of the word All was a falsehood, for Daniel had certainly not been consulted, and there were probably other leaders not included in the planning of this scheme. Note the length to which these men went. The real design behind the idea, to single out Daniel for a death sentence, was veiled behind clever wording. They had to make sure that King Darius would not discern the real intent. This decree, with its general wording, would supposedly add to the honor and authority of the king.

“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. 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. (vv.8-10)

Daniel was well aware that a conspiracy had formed against him, but he took no action to thwart it. He simply continued his walk with the LORD and left the matter in the divine hands of Providence. He made no secret of his daily custom or of his trust in the God of heaven.

The wicked have laid a snare for me, Yet I have not strayed from Your precepts. Psalm 119:110