Intro: There are positive or negative consequences for every decision we make; therefore, we need to bathe every choice in prayer. Nothing is too small or too big to bring to the Lord. Prayer should be like breathing in and breathing out as we seek the will of God with every decision. Otherwise, we may find ourselves filled with regret as we watch the chain of events that begin to tumble from our poor choices. God’s Word encourages us to remember we will reap whatever we sow; when we sow poor decisions—things outside the will of God—we must face what follows.
In our passage today, king Darius has not weighed all the negative consequences that may come with his decision to enact an unjust law against prayer. Consequence #1: Soon after he enacts the law, the king realizes this law will cost the life of his best servant. Consequence #2: Darius has no power to revoke the law. Consequence #3: Darius’ soul is troubled and filled with regret. Our lesson, today, is to pray about everything and know God will lead us toward reaping good consequences…abundant favor.
Daniel 6:13-18 NLT Daniel in the Lion’s Den
13 Then they told the king, “That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.”
14 Hearing this, 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.
15 In the evening the men went together to the king and said, “Your Majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”
16 So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.”
17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 18 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.
Prayer: Lord, thank you for the power of prayer and the wisdom to know how to make decisions that will yield positive consequences. Help us learn from the life of Daniel that you are always there to save us from evil. In Jesus’ name. Amen.