Daniel 6:5 "Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God."

This morning, there are people suffering due to a number of different causes and circumstances. Some people are suffering due to their personal sins or the sins of others. Some are suffering due to the nature of the sin curse, and others are suffering the trials of life for the sake of their Saviour Jesus Christ. While the suffering for sin is something that we do not welcome, it should be a joyous thing for us to suffer for the reproach of our Dear Saviour.

The brethren in Acts were glad that they were considered worthy to suffer these things. Here, Daniel (a man with an excellent spirit) is being conspired against by the other rulers of the land. The Lord has blessed Daniel to increase in favour with the king, and his wisdom far excels the others of the empire. So, Daniel's colleagues (in covetousness and jealousy) have determined to bring some form of railing accusation to remove him from favour with king Darius. However, Daniel is such a godly character that they can find no fault with him unless they look to his religious practices. Such should be the case with us today. Our enemies are constantly seeking ways to find fault with us so that we are not looked upon favourably by others. If we are found breaking the law, living riotous lives, and disturbing the peace of the community, then it will be very easy for them to accuse us. However, if we are doing justly, loving mercy, and walking humbly with our God, then they cannot find any of these things. Their only resort is to make a law that goes against the law of our God. Daniel kept all the laws of the land (until this point), for they did not contradict God's law. We should keep all the laws of the land so long as they are in keeping with the perfect law of the Lord. However, these wicked men convinced the king to make a new law that went against the precepts of the Almighty, and Daniel still remained faithful to pray earnestly as he should no matter the consequence for his course.

If this great nation we live in today (which has granted us more liberty and freedom than the church has ever known) starts making laws that conflict with the Holy Scriptures, may we still earnestly contend for the faith once delivered to the saints. If a law is written that outlaws prayer, may we still ever pray without ceasing. If a law is written that outlaws public worship, may we still not forsake the assembling of ourselves together. If ministers are put in prison for preaching the unsearchable riches of Christ, may the ministers still preach in demonstration of the Spirit and power to the churches, while the ones in the prison still sing the Lord's praises until the midnight hour. Daniel was eventually thrown into the den of lions for continuing to pray to God. We may be thrown into the fires of life for service to our glorified Lord. However, whether we live or die in these persecutions, let us continue to occupy till He comes and be found faithful in all our deeds.