ESOCS Devotional 3 September 2026 – Reward For Distinguishing Yourself
MEMORY VERSE: “Then was the king 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 manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.” (Daniel 6: 23 KJV).
TEXT: DANIEL 6: 15 – 28
Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep [c]went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 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.
24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25 Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
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It takes one who has done a good job or accomplished a task to enjoy a reward. Only those who pay a prize actually enjoy rewards. Paying a prize includes distinguishing yourself or setting yourself apart for a good purpose or course.
In our text, we see Daniel, a faithful servant of God, brought before the king and cast into the lion’s den simply because he chose to distinguish himself by praying to his God. God did not prevent Daniel’s enemies from casting him into the lions’ den; He permitted evil angels and wicked men thus far to accomplish their purpose (Daniel 6:15 – 17).
This is because God had plans to defeat the enemy and to make a public show of them. It was that He might make the deliverance of His servant more marked, and the defeat of the enemies of truth and righteousness more complete…. Through the courage of this one man who chose to follow right rather than policy, Satan was to be defeated, and the name of God was to be exalted and honored (Dan. 6: 22 – 24).
God will always reward all those who choose to carry their cross and follow Him; who are willing to pay the prize; who are ready to distinguish themselves from the world; who are ready to endure the pain and shame; who are ready to lay down their lives for the sake of the gospel. David in Psalms 30:5 says “weeping may endure for a night but joy cometh in the morning”.
The story of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego who are also Daniel’s friends chose to distinguish themselves by not bowing down to other gods even when they were going to be cast into the midst of burning fiery furnace (Dan. 3: 16 – 23). Their reward….they came out of the burning fiery furnace unhurt; a new decree was made in favour of their God and they got promoted (Dan. 3: 24 – 30).
Your faithfulness to God does not go unnoticed or unrewarded. One of the greatest rewards is the gift of trust. Faithfulness births and grows trust; so over time you earn the reputation of a trustworthy person. Daniel’s faithfulness to his God birthed trust of the king and rekindled the king’s faith in his God.
Beloved, be faithful and distinguish yourself wherever you are called to serve so you can be trusted. Your faithfulness in the things of God will always earn you a worthy reward. Here Jesus’ parable …His master said unto him, “Well done, good and faithful servant; thou hast been faithful over a few things; I will make thee ruler over many things; enter thou into the joy thy lord.” (Matthew 25:23). We must choose to be faithful because God is faithful!
Challenges:
- Have you suffered as a result of distinguishing yourself for The Lord?
- Do you believe that you will be rewarded for your faithfulness?
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, even as I press on towards the mark and walk in obedience to your Word, crown me with your reward for diligence in your service in Jesus name. Amen.
FURTHER READING:
Matthew 16: 16 – 28; 2 Samuel 11: 16 – 27; Romans 4: 13 – 35
ESOCS Devotional 3 September 2026
