ESOCS Devotional 7 July 2025 – God Willing, Even Foes Will Intercede
MEMORY VERSE: “Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from him.” Daniel 6:18 KJV
TEXT: DANIEL 6:14-28
And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he abored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. 15 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 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.
Read Other ESOCS Devotional Here
The hatred, envy and conspiracy of the enemies of Daniel had risen to a most dangerous height. But Daniel remained devotionally resolute. Nothing would deter him, as he remained determined and fortified against all wicked plots by all and sundry. He continued as usual with his prayers, unperturbed by what any earthly king might decree concerning his religious devotion, attitude and behaviour (See also Acts 4:28-29).
Daniel’s belief or conviction – just like the apostles, was that no civil government on earth has a right to dictate the religious dogmas or practices of the people of God (Acts 5:17-29). He believed that if such a conflict of laws should occur, believers should have no choice but to obey God rather than men.
However, after signing the wicked decree, the king felt greatly displeased and disturbed in himself. He then realized that he had been caught in the trap of Daniel’s enemies. But he knew that Daniel was morally upright. He also had the conviction that the true God whom Daniel served would not let him down. He even fasted and prayed for him. Moreover, realizing that he had done a very wrong thing, his conscience troubled him, and thus he could not sleep throughout the night.
True to the king’s conviction, God sent His angel to rescue Daniel – just like the case of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (Daniel 3:23-26). Child of God, brace up, and stand strong in your faith, and believe firmly in the only true God: The God of heaven and of earth. He remains the Sole and Grand Commander of the whole universe. Truly, tribulations will come your way, but he that believes and stands to the end, will be crowned. Stand firm, and fear no man. Our God remains the strongest tower, to whom the righteous will run and be saved (Psalms 61:3). Besides, if God be for us, no man can successfully stand against us.
CHALLENGES
- Man’s decrees or God’s commandment, which is superior?
PRAYER POINT
- Lord my God, grant me the fadeless faith to stand with you even unto death.
FURTHER READING: Daniel 6:1-13; Acts 15:13-29; 15:30-41
ESOCS Devotional 7 July 2025
