Deeper Reflection
In Daniel 6, apart from his daily personal prayer (Dan 6:10), we know nothing about Daniel’s personal or religious life. We don’t know if he was involved in any kind of social or religious good causes, or if he went around evangelising the Babylonians.¹⁴ We see Daniel mainly in his daily secular work, serving a pagan government. But one thing is clear: Daniel lived out the Gospel.People see Daniel’s life. Daniel’s enemies found him to be “faithful” and without “negligence or corruption” when they attempted to make accusations against him on government affairs (v.4). But a good testimony for God is not always attractive to pre-believers. The effect could be the opposite instead, as in Daniel’s case (v.5). Darius’ response to his casting Daniel into the lions’ den by his mistake (vv.14-15, 18-19) shows how highly he valued Daniel for his commitment to the state’s well-being. Perhaps, what Daniel could say about himself is of great significance: “I was found innocent before God” (v.22). Daniel walked with God in such a way that he could have such confidence about himself with humble honesty.People see Daniel’s God. For Darius, the God of Daniel was central in Daniel’s crisis that he had caused: “Your God” (vv.16, 20). Darius saw Daniel’s God in the latter’s life, not just his integrity. We do not know how Darius saw God in Daniel’s life. But we know he saw the reality of God in Daniel. It must be that this reality was manifested in how Daniel lived his life and did his work.

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¹⁴ Christopher J. H. Wright, 129