Kingdom Coming Part 6

At Keys Vineyard Church, we are presenting a series called ‘Kingdom Coming,’ which we post here on Online Bible Institute.

Last week, in our series ‘Kingdom Coming,’ we examined Daniel Chapter 3 and discussed fiery ordeals and how Jesus walks with us through them. This week, we will examine Daniel Chapter 6 and the famous story of the Lion’s Den.

Daniel 6:1–10 (NIV)
1 It pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps to rule throughout the kingdom, 2 with three administrators over them, one of whom was Daniel. The satraps were made accountable to them so that the king might not suffer loss. 3 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. 4 At this, the administrators and the satraps tried to find grounds for charges against Daniel in his conduct of government affairs, but they were unable to do so. They could find no corruption in him, because he was trustworthy and neither corrupt nor negligent. 5 Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” 6 So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7 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 human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. 8 Now, Your Majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9 So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10 Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.

Matthew 5:11–13 (NIV)
11 “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. 13 “You are the salt of the earth. But if the salt loses its saltiness, how can it be made salty again? It is no longer good for anything, except to be thrown out and trampled underfoot.

In Daniel 6:1-10 and Matthew 5:11-13, we see a clear biblical principle emerge: the appropriate response to persecution is to turn to God in prayer and steadfast faith. Daniel 6 recounts Daniel’s unwavering commitment to prayer despite the decree that anyone petitioning a god or man other than King Darius would be thrown into the lions’ den. In Matthew 5, Jesus teaches that persecution for righteousness sake is not only expected but is also a cause for rejoicing because it aligns believers with the prophets and assures great reward in heaven.

Daniel’s response to persecution in Daniel 6:10 is remarkable for its consistency and courage. Knowing full well that the decree against prayer was signed, Daniel continued his practice of praying three times a day with his windows open toward Jerusalem. He did not hide or alter his devotion to God to avoid punishment. Instead, he responded with faith and trust, pressing into prayer as his first response to the threat. Daniel’s actions demonstrate that his relationship with God took precedence over his safety or the opinions of others.

In Matthew 5:11-13, Jesus encourages believers to respond to persecution with joy and resilience. He declares, “Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you, and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven.” Jesus’ words remind us that persecution is not a sign of defeat but a marker of faithfulness to God’s kingdom. Just as Daniel’s prayer life was a testament to his faith, our response to trials should reflect unwavering trust in God’s sovereignty.

Both passages highlight the necessity of prayer as a response to persecution. For Daniel, prayer was both his lifeline and his protest—a declaration that God alone was worthy of worship. For believers today, as taught in Matthew 5, prayer helps us align our hearts with God’s purposes, seek His strength, and cultivate the joy Jesus spoke of, even in suffering.

Daniel’s example encourages believers to maintain a disciplined prayer life, even under pressure. Just as he turned to prayer in the face of danger, we are called to press into prayer, trusting that God will sustain us and use our faithfulness to glorify Him.

This weekend at Keys Vineyard Church, we will discuss all this and more, so be sure to join us in person or online.

Steve Lawes is a pastor at Keys Vineyard Church and also the founder of the Online Bible Institute Network.