How to face persecution (Sermon 10)
Date 27 01 02 Text Daniel 6 Place Childs Hill Baptist Church
We’re looking at the Book of Daniel and at how Daniel lived out his life under four kings – the Babylonians, Nebuchadnezzar and his grandson Belshazzar; Darius the Mede and Cyrus the Persian. We looked last at Daniel 9 and Daniel’s prayer and vision in the time of Darius. This week I want us to look at something else that happened in Darius’s time – what is found in the most famous chapter in the book, Chapter 6. Daniel in the lions’ den is easily among the most famous stories in the Bible. It’s up there with Noah’s ark, Jonah’s whale, Moses in the bulrushes, crossing the Red Sea. Some of you can’t remember a time when you didn’t know the story. You’ve grown up with it.
It’s not only a great story but one that’s full of help and challenge in every way. I think we can say this is true what ever age we are. It’s often forgotten that by this time Daniel was an old man – probably well into his eighties. He’d served under the Babylonians and been both a royal favourite and a forgotten man. Now he was very much in favour again, serving under the Medo-Persian Empire that he had known would replace the corrupt Babylonian one. We know nothing outside Scripture about Darius the Mede but he was clearly in power for a relatively brief period and in that time set about reforming the undoubtedly run-down and corrupt administration taken over from Belshazzar. In this administration Daniel was chosen to play a very significant part. Let’s begin to look at Daniel then and see the lessons there for our own day.
1. Be faithful to God and the world will often take notice. Realise that persecution may well follow.
1. If you are faithful the world will often notice. In verses 1 and 2 we’re told that It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom that is all the large area controlled by the Medo-Persians. Then there were three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. Then in verse 3 we read Now Daniel so distinguished himself among the administrators and the satraps by his exceptional qualities that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Daniel was clearly very special. He was a man of exceptional qualities. To be a satrap was something but there were 120 of them. No doubt some were better than others. To be one of the top three administrators took something extra special. But Daniel we are told even stood out over the top three. Men like Daniel are rare. Perhaps none of us here even begin to approach a man of such stature. Nevertheless, we all have talents and it’s vital that we make good use of them and that we are faithful in our callings – as parents, as husbands and wives; as students, workers or retired people; as nurses or civil servants, proof readers or pastors; in offices or hotels, classrooms or laboratories; working with computers or with brushes and paint. It is important that we are not lazy or self-serving but that we work for God’s glory. Are we doing that? In verse 4 we’re told Daniel was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. They say every man has his price but not Daniel. That must be true of us too in whatever sphere we work. Neither negligence nor corruption must creep in. We must be absolutely trustworthy. Few people today have real integrity. When one comes along it makes a real impact. For example, think of Christians who are professional sportsmen who won’t compete on a Sunday.
2. Do not be surprised when persecution follows. It is easy to think this is the way to bliss. But no
1 Expect jealousy. Now in some ways it would be nice to say ‘Live like that and everything will be wonderful and you’ll get promoted and everybody will like you’. However, that’s not reality. It wasn’t for Daniel; it often won’t be for us. Daniel’s promotion caused jealousy. You can imagine it can’t you? The other two and some of the satraps knew one another and when they met up, as no doubt they did from time to time, they spoke about Daniel. ‘He’s not one of us’ they said. ‘He doesn’t really fit in’; ‘he’s getting too much power’; ‘he’s interfering with our chances to cream off something for ourselves’, etc. The problem was that Daniel was better than them in every way and they knew it. If you are faithful and you are rewarded then it is likely that you’ll make someone jealous. Remember that.
2 Give no-one reason to criticise you. Perhaps secret memoranda flitted back and forth across the empire as these discussions went on. They (4) tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs. They watched his every move to see if there was anything corrupt going on or if Daniel was slacking in any area at all. But they were unable to do so. As we have noted They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. It is very important that this is true of us as, if it is not, we will give people an excuse to decry the gospel. ‘He’s supposed to be a Christian’ they’ll say ‘but he has longer coffee breaks than anyone!’ ‘She’s supposed to follow Jesus but she won’t help anyone else’. ‘Some Christian this one, look at the mess of his files.’ Of course, we all fail and sometimes we are rightly accused. In such a situation we simply have to accept the criticism. But let’s look to the Lord to help us not to bring shame on his name. 1 Peter 4:15, 16 If you suffer it should not be as a murderer or a thief or any other kind of criminal or even as a meddler. However, if you suffer as a Christian, do not be ashamed, but praise God that you bear that name.
3. Make no secret of your devotion to God but realise that is where the real opposition lies. In the end these men decided that if they waited until Daniel made a slip in conducting government business they’d wait forever. Rather, the thing to do was to try and find a basis for charges in (5) something to do with the law of his God. As here, the world will always try and force the believer into a position where he has to be true to God and lose out or keep everything but deny God. Daniel made no secret of his faith in the Lord. Everyone knew he was devoted to the God of the Jews. We learn later how he would openly pray three times a day turned to Jerusalem, to the place of atonement. We too must make no secret of our devotion to Christ if we have one. Sometimes it may be tempting to keep it in the background but that’s never right for the believer. We must keep it to the fore, even though that’s where opposition will focus most keenly. If we are simply very good then may be we can escape jealousy but if we’re Christians who are very good the opposition will inevitably focus on our faith. Christians are tempted to keep a low profile – either by not trying too hard or by keeping quiet about their faith. Both alternatives are forbidden in Scripture. It is wrong to hide your light under a bushel. Rather we are to shine out for Jesus like light in the darkness so that men may see our good works and come to praise him.
4. Be aware of the weapons in the opposition’s armoury. We note five here:
- Plotting and scheming. The administrators not only gossip and moan about Daniel behind his back but they discuss ways of having him removed and eventually come up with an evil plan. Daniel doesn’t know about any of this, of course, any more than we are privy to things that are said behind our backs. We ought to be aware that such things go on, however. We are not conspiracy theorists but we must acknowledge that in schools and universities, mosques and witches’ covens, pubs and private houses the overthrow of Christianity is regularly being contemplated at different levels.
- Flattery and deception. The plan was to go to the king and propose a new law, one that would appeal to his sense of self-importance. I don’t suppose Darius was any more vain than any other Pagan king. When they said to him O King Darius, live for ever! The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or man during the next 30 days, except to you, O king, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. No doubt all that he really thought about was the wonderful devotion these people appeared to have for him. Again and again such simple devices have been used to attack the gospel and individual believers. Appeals to freedom and humanity, intellectual enlightenment and fair play are made. We must understand how it works. A straightforward attack is likely to fail but if the powers that be can be convinced that they are doing something enlightened, something wise and admirable, then they’ll go for it, regardless of the harm that comes to believers. Notice the lie - the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed. But Daniel hadn’t. The king should have smelt a rat. Where was his best advisor?
- Malice and hate. Note that from the beginning these evil men were bent on having Daniel put to death. They themselves lay down the punishment, to be thrown into the lions’ den. They were certain about that. To this day the faithful continue to be killed. It is said that in the 20th Century there were more Christian martyrs than in any previous century. No doubt the same will be so in the 21st Century. At the very end of 2001, ten villagers were brutally shot and killed when Islamic militants raided the village of Naga, Mindanao, Philippines. In the savage attack, armed militants opened fire on a row of grass huts in a predominantly Christian village shooting six dead and wounding four. Soldiers and local militia fought back, killing one and wounding another. The militants kidnapped four villagers and later killed them as well. Similar reports come in regularly from Indonesia and Nigeria etc.
- Pressure and coercion. It is the King who puts the law in writing here but it is clear that he has been manipulated by his government officers. Later he is full of regret about what happens to Daniel. He had not realised where it was all leading. This is a common feature in persecution. At oprsent the Christian radio station Premier Radio is in a situation where one tiny group are bringing pressure on the government not to renew their licence.
- Misuse of law. In verses 8 and 9 we read Now, O king, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered - in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed. So King Darius put the decree in writing. They knew this law would not bother polytheists. It was only a thirty day ban on their religion anyway. Only true worshippers of the true God would be affected. This wasn’t the last time a law was passed aimed at suppressing the truth. It wasn’t the last. There are ruthless men, of course, who will do as they will, regardless of Law. Others, however, are wiser in worldly terms perhaps and like to use the law to frame and support their vile actions. The BBC produced a fascinating drama to mark world holocaust day recently. It re-enacted a secret conference at Wannsee where the fateful decision to annihilate the Jews was formally agreed. It was interesting to see how representatives of different parts of the Nazi machine argued their case. All were united in their hatred for Jews but one in particular was concerned that they act only in line with properly framed laws. The fact a law has been passed by a legitimate government never has and never can make a thing right. That is a lie.
2. Consider what to do if persecution comes and what it is like when it comes near.
1. What to do if persecution comes. Daniel is a wonderful example to us here. He heard about the new law the King had passed. Perhaps even before that he’d guessed what was going on. He was fully aware of what would happen if he prayed as he had been doing. So what does he do? Does he stop praying? Does he pretend not to pray? No. Just as he’d stood firm as a boy so he stands firm now. He doesn’t panic or make a dramatic gesture, he just carries on doing what he’d always done. Verse 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened towards Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. This is not ostentation, Daniel was well known – people saw everything he did. And when they went to spy they (11) found Daniel praying and asking God for help and not attempting to hide it. Daniel hardly seems to have known what it meant to fear man. This is how we should be; how we must be, whether persecution comes or not.
Do you pray? How often? Do you humble yourself before God? Do you give thanks? Do you ask for help? Here is the secret of Daniel’s strength. He was tempted to compromise no doubt. The devil whispered all sorts of arguments. Just leave it for 30 days Daniel. Make an excuse and go somewhere else out of the way, etc. ‘think what you’ll lose’; ‘Imagine those lions sinking their hungry fangs into you’. But long ago Daniel had decided how he would live. It is such people who are faithful under persecution. It is easy to imagine that if we were persecuted we would be better stronger Christians. But no it is faithfulness in the little things that prepares us to face the big tests. If we fail when things are easy, we will never do any good when real trouble comes.
2. What it is like when persecution comes near. Having experienced little persecution we’re perhaps a little vague about what it’s like. It’s important to remember that nothing usually happens overnight. There is a process. Certainly that is true here. We can discern a series of eight steps.
1 Hatred festers. Perhaps we can begin here. That hatred is always there. We know that hatred today.
2 A Law is passed. Our enemies are sometimes able to take things forward by having a law passed that will discriminate against Christians. At present there are laws on the statute books that directly or indirectly make it difficult for believers. We are often in danger of seeing more severe laws passed.
3 You are faithful. Of course, if when such a law is passed we capitulate we’ll escape persecution. Daniel could have simply not prayed for a month. He’d have completely escaped persecution but at what price?
4 Informers inform. A mere law can’t hurt anyone. There have to be informers. We were talking to a speaker from Jordan recently about the problem of secret policemen in congregations there. Informers do the dirty work. There are always willing eyes and ears and mouths. Notice how crafty they are. They begin (12) Did you not publish a decree that during the next 30 days anyone who prays to any god or man except to you, O king, would be thrown into the lions’ den? The king answered, The decree stands - in accordance with the laws of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed. Got him! They go on (13) Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day. Daniel had said long ago that the empire after all powerful Nebuchadnezzar would be weaker. Here we see it I action as the King is tied in knots by his own decree.
5 Some may make efforts to save you. 14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him. On the other hand, the efforts of the king to defend Daniel are typical. Because the image of God in man is not wholly destroyed it is not unusual to find unbelievers willing to take up our cause sometimes.
Perhaps the dilemma gives as an insight into the work of the cross. God is the great King. On one hand, the Law says all sinners must die for all have sinned. On the other, God desires to save some. He does so through the death of his Son. That is the gospel. Darius had no such expedient.
6 Your enemies pursue their case. Verse 15 Then the men went as a group to the king and said to him, Remember, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed. Nevertheless when there are determined enemies they’ll pursue their case relentlessly as here.
7 An order is given. Verse 16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you! He doesn’t seem to have had much hope of that. Sometimes it comes to this.
8 Your fate is apparently sealed. Verse 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Hopeless. What hope was there for Daniel? What hope is there for us if they are determined? We must be realistic and say, humanly speaking, very little. Physically, there seemed no hope for Daniel. But spiritually there was every hope. He had faced the Devil (the only way to defeat him) and won. King Darius was in despair but there was no doubt rejoicing in heaven that night.
3. Consider the blessings that can come when God’s people are faithful under persecution
The church father Tertullian once said that the blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church. It can be demonstrated that very often the church knows its greatest growth in times of persecution. We do not court persecution but we recognise that even in the midst of it great good can come, as here.
1. It is an anxious time when God’s people are under persecution. In verse 18 we are told that after Daniel had been put in the lions’ den the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. Why? Because he was full of anxiety. He could think of nothing else but Daniel and how because of his own vanity and foolishness he had been tricked into signing his death warrant. Verse 19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. There was still hope. Perhaps, somehow Daniel had survived the night. It inevitably reminds us of the women going to Jesus’s tomb on the first day of the week. They did not even have as much hope as this pagan king had for Daniel. Verse 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions? His voice, you can imagine, was full of anxiety. Could it possibly be that Daniel was yet alive? Imagine his relief when he heard Daniel’s voice (21) O king, live for ever! He was alive. He’d survived! God had preserved him. He is the God who raises the dead. He rescue Daniel’s friends from Nebuchadnezzar’s fiery furnace. He rescued Daniel from the lions’ den. And we know that he raised Jesus from the dead. If you are a Christian today, you know too that you were once dead in your sins but he has raised you to live for him. You will die one day but that is not the end, the glories of heaven lie ahead.
Nevertheless, having said all that, there are anxious times. Persecution is a difficult time and until we know its outcome it’s easy to be anxious. This is where faith is important. We have every reason to believe that blessing will come even in persecution, especially in times of persecution. See the end of Romans 8.
2. Yet blessings can come when they are faithful under it.
1 They often survive through God’s mercy and justice. That’s what happened in Daniel’s case. Daniel says (22) My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king. God used one of his higher creatures to prevent one of his lower creatures doing what came naturally and destroying another of his creatures, the creatures in whom he shows more interest than any other. Or perhaps it was the Second person of the Trinity himself who cam to Daniel’s aid. God often does such things.
2 What joy there is when they do. Verse 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. It is wonderful when we read of noble martyrs giving their lives in the cause of Christ. It is even more wonderful when we read of others being rescued from death as a reward for their faith. We do not say one is better than another but we recognise God’s sovereignty to do as he pleases.
3 God can swiftly turn the tables on his enemies and often does. Verse 24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. This often happens. Something similar happened when those who threw Daniel’s friends into the furnace died doing it and when the Egyptians drowned trying to follow the Israelites into the Red Sea. Think of how evil Haman was hanged on the gallows he intended for Mordecai. God deals with his enemies.
4 Faithfulness can lead to open doors for people to learn about the truth. Verses 25 and 26 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land: May you prosper greatly! I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. Darius drew attention to the fact that he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. Verse 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. A heroic stand for Christ, whether ending in life or death, can have a lasting impact.
5 Times of persecution are often followed by times of prosperity for God’s people. Verse 28 is worth noting So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel not only prospered in the time of Darius but on into the next reign too. What blessings come when we are faithful!
Soon the judgement will be here – not the lions’ den of some eastern potentate but the searching examination that God himself will conduct on that day when the righteous in Christ will be saved and the wicked will be sent to hell. Don’t be like those wicked despisers who died. Don’t be like Darius who understood so much but never trusted in the Lord. Be like Daniel. Keep looking to the Lord and be holy and pure always.
