Political Essay: Please Read Before you Sign
“Thy God, whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” (Daniel 6:16)
Darius was the Medo-Persian king. The Medo-Persians had defeated the Babylonians. Daniel the prophet had served the Babylonians, but now that the Medo-Persians were in power, Daniel was working for King Darius. Darius’s government had one hundred twenty princes over the whole kingdom, and over the princes were three presidents.
Daniel was the first president. Daniel was Darius’ favorite because “…an excellent spirit was in him;” (Daniel 6:3) Darius knew Daniel could be trusted, and he thought to put Daniel into higher authority. The other presidents and princes wanted Daniel destroyed, but they had no scandalous conduct to accuse him with. However, they knew he prayed to God, so they wrote up a law which read like this: “…whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.” (Daniel 6:7)
The law said basically that if anyone asked anything of anyone else, including God, he would be thrown to the lions. Unfortunately, Darius didn’t bother to ask critical questions, like, “If a guy who asks to borrow his neighbor’s tools, does he get thrown to the lions?” or, “Why is this law only for thirty days?” or even, “What is REALLY the point of this law?” He just signed.
Once the law was signed, they went to Daniel’s house, hoping to catch him praying. Daniel was determined not to skip prayer. He prayed, they caught him, and they told Darius in short order.
Darius knew he’d messed up. He liked Daniel, and “…laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.” He may have been scouring the law books for some exception, but the presidents and princes reminded him, “Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree or statute which the king establisheth may be changed.” (Daniel 6:15) Darius was heartbroken, but he had no other choice. He ordered Daniel into the den of lions, but told him, as our verse says, “Thy God, whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” (Daniel 6:16)
Sure enough, Darius went to the den in the morning. Daniel was unhurt. He told Darius, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me:” (Daniel 6:22) Daniel was taken out of the den, and his accusers were thrown in, with their wives and children.
Our story has great lessons, but if you’re a politician, here’s one from Darius: When a bill comes up for a vote, ask questions: Does it have parts that don’t sound right? If so, why? Is it excessively wordy, maybe to hide sneaky details? Look closely before you sign. Pray for wisdom, as well! “For the LORD giveth wisdom: out of his mouth cometh knowledge and understanding.” (Proverbs 2:6)
Most importantly, if you aren’t sure you’ll be in heaven when you die but you’d love to be sure, please go to www.clevelandbaptist.org, click “Helpful Links,” then “How Do I Go to Heaven?”
Brian Miller
Cleveland Baptist Church 4431 Tiedeman Road, Brooklyn, Ohio 44144 216/671-2822