Daniel 6:10–13

Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.

Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”

The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”

So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”

Dumb, dumb, dumb. This plan has Darwin Awards written all over it.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Darwin_Awards

For crying out loud, what do these governors and satraps think Darius will do to them after they’ve tricked him into executing his favorite governor? Give them a raise?

This displays one of the most obvious stamps of spiritual evil. Sin makes us stupid, but not that stupid. Some things can’t be explained so easily. These guys hatch a plan that’s too dumb for a conspiracy.

It’s like the joke—What are a fool’s last words?

“Hey everybody! Watch this!”

One guy can do something dumb enough to win a Darwin Award, especially after a few beers, but not a whole group of guys. Surely, someone would notice it’s a suicide pact.

That’s what takes this outside the realm of the natural.

Meanwhile, God’s plan for spiritual awakening is on track. Darius hasn’t met God yet, but he will.

Daniel did not keep praying unwittingly. He knew about the writ but maintained his prayer practice anyway. He trusted God. Daniel was simply doing what he knew God had called him to do, according to His purpose. He understood Romans 8:28 centuries before Paul wrote it.

And we know that all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose.

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. ESV stands for the English Standard Version. © Copyright 2001 by Crossway. Used by permission. All rights reserved. NIV stands for The Holy Bible, New International Version®. © Copyright 1973 by International Bible Society. Used by permission. All rights reserved. KJV stands for the King James Version.