Chances are very good that you were captivated by the story of Daniel in the lions’ den when you first heard it in Sunday School or read it for the first time later in life. The great miracle that God performed by tying up the lions’ mouths so impressed King Darius that he would proclaim:

“I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God…He performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (vs. 26-27)

I must confess that until recently I had not really paid a lot of attention to the verses that precede this incredible incident until my friend Pastor Ric Borozny brought them to my attention.

Daniel stood out among all the other officials in King Darius’ court to such an extent that “the king made plans to place him over the entire empire.” This, of course, triggered jealousy among the Babylonian officials who were ticked off that a Jewish transplant would supplant one of them.

So “the other administrators and high officers began searching for some fault in the way Daniel was handling government affairs, but they couldn’t find anything to criticize or condemn. He was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy.” (vs. 3-4)

Wow! What a testimonial to Daniel’s character, work ethic and track record! Even his enemies had to admit that there was nothing they could pin on him, as far as his job was concerned.

The only way they could get him was with his faith. They persuade King Darius to sign a law that decreed the death penalty on all who worshipped anyone other than the king. Sure enough, Daniel is caught red-handed on his knees. The king has to abide by the law and condemn Daniel to be thrown into the lions’ den.

I must admit that v. 14 caught me completely caught off guard, though. “The king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament.”

Double Wow! The same king who was bound by law to put Daniel to death delays the administration of the penalty for a whole day so he could somehow come up with a loophole that would spare Daniel’s life.

What was responsible for King Darius taking such an extraordinary measure?  In v. 3 we are told the reason: “Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him.”

It was Daniel’s commitment to excellence in all he did in his regular job that caught the king’s eye.

Regardless of his fondness for Daniel, Darius had no choice but to have Daniel thrown in the den. Here is what the king did right after. “Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night.” (v. 18)

Triple Wow! The king fasts, shuns his regular fill of pleasure and stays awake all night. All because of Daniel.

Dear DWOD friend, are you so committed to excellence in all that you do at your present position that your boss loses sleep when misfortune befalls you?

He/she would, if you would heed these words of the apostle Paul in Colossians 3:22-25: “And don’t just do the minimum that will get you by. Do your best. Work from the heart for your real Master…Keep in mind always that the ultimate Master you’re serving is Christ…Being a follower of Jesus doesn’t cover up bad work.”