MEN MUST TREMBLE BEFORE HIS GOD

By Charles N. Spence, Jr.

In Daniel the 6^th chapter we read of the amazing impact a life lived for God can have upon people. Not long after the fall of the Babylonian empire, Darius, who was the ruler in Medo-Persia, elevated Daniel to a high and honorable position in the kingdom. Daniel served as one of three presidents to whom even the princes in the kingdom must give an account (v. 2). Daniel’s godly deportment made such an impression upon Darius that he preferred him above not only the princes, but also the other presidents (v. 3).

Of course this did not sit well with the princes and the other presidents. So, they sought out the opportunity to level an accusation against Daniel. However, Daniel conducted himself with such integrity in the discharge of his duties as president, that the princes and the other presidents could not find grounds to condemn him (v. 4). The hearts of these men were so vile and they were so intoxicated by their own envy that they felt the need to trap Daniel (v. 5). They saw the area in which Daniel was most faithful, his piety and service toward God, as an occasion in which to effect his down fall. What is incredibly heinous about this plot is that the princes and presidents relied on Daniel’s faithfulness to his God as the means by which they would bring him down. They knew Daniel would not betray his faith and confidence in the Lord. This is much like David who, knowing that Uriah would not betray his loyalty to the King, used Uriah to deliver his own death sentence to Joab in the form of a letter (2 Sam. 11:14-17).

The men persuaded Darius to adopt a law in the kingdom that would work against Daniel (vs. 6-9). The law would forbid Daniel to pray to his God, a daily custom of his. However, Daniel did not let some law stand in the way of his service unto God. He never betrayed his confidence in the Lord, just as the men expected (v. 10-15). As a result of his unfeigned piety toward God, Daniel had to suffer the consequences of his actions. Reluctantly, Darius was forced to cast Daniel into the lion’s den (vs. 16-17).

Remarkably, Daniel’s faith and godly deportment had an impact upon Darius, that he was troubled by what he had done to Daniel and had even hoped that Daniel’s God would deliver him (v. 18-20). Such hope eventually paid off, as Daniel was delivered from the clutches of death by God (vs. 21-23). Now, realizing the treachery of those men who persuaded him to make such a decree, Darius allowed the law to turn on them (v. 24).

One thing that is truly fascinating about this event is that both Darius and the princes and presidents had overwhelming confidence that Daniel’s faith would not fail. The princes and presidents were confident that Daniel’s faith would be his downfall, while Darius was confident that Daniel’s faith would be his deliverance. Yet, in all this Daniel’s faith did not fail.

Darius sought to override his previous decree with a new decree that mandated that everywhere in his kingdom “men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel” (vs. 25-28). What a testimony this is to the faith of Daniel. The government sought to protect and guarantee his religious freedom. Neither Darius nor the princes and presidents would have been so moved in their resolve, if Daniel was not steadfast in his faith.

Today, we live in a country that has once risen up to take notice of the faith of its citizens. This it did to the point of making a decree not to deny its citizens the right to the free exercise of religion. As a result, God has blessed this nation and allowed it to prosper and flourish. Yet today, more and more we see this right being infringed upon. Instead of protecting the cherished right to express our faith, the government is decreeing things that go against our godly sensibilities: abortion, homosexuality, egalitarianism, etc. We are served by a government that does more to protect the rights of murderers, the sexually immoral and feminists than those who live godly lives. Such a turn for the worse in regard to the moral fabric of this nation, will ultimately lead to its downfall (Pro. 14:34).

What has happened since the time this nation decreed that the godly be protected is that faith and righteousness in the hearts of its citizens is not as important as prosperity, pleasure and personal well being. So they have allowed themselves to compromise their faith and righteous deportment for the here and now. How is a government expected to take note of the faith of its people, when those very people have cast off that faith or consider it of lesser importance than pleasure, prosperity, etc? Consider this question in light of the fact that this nation’s citizens elect representatives to government that would fight to protect these base and depraved concerns.

When this nation was in its infancy and the concerns of its citizens were more noble and upright, George Washington was moved to say the following in his farewell address. This quote is provided as it was originally written:

Of all the dispositions and habits, which lead to political prosperity, Religion and morality are indispensable supports. In vain would that man claim the tribute of Patriotism, who should labour to subvert these great pillars of human happiness, these firmest props of the duties of Men and Citizens. The mere politician, equally with the pious man, ought to respect and to cherish them. A volume could not trace all their connexion with private and public felicity. Let it simply be asked where is the security for property, for reputation, for life, if the sense of religious obligation desert the oaths, which are the instruments of investigation in Courts of Justice? And let us with caution indulge the supposition, that morality can be maintained without religion. Whatever may be conceded to the influence of refined education on minds of a peculiar structure—reason and experience both forbid us to expect, that national morality can prevail in exclusion of religious principle. Tis substantially true, that virtue or morality is a necessary spring of popular government. The rule indeed extends with more or less force to every species of Free Government. Who that is a sincere friend to it, can look with indifference upon attempts to shake the foundation of the fabric?

Little did Washington know concerning what would happen later in this nation’s development. The people did become indifferent and elected those who would shake the foundation of this nation’s fabric.

Though this nation protected the religious freedoms of all of its citizens, regardless of their faith, God still allowed his grace to shine upon this nation because it allowed His true followers to freely worship him and exercise their faith. Even though Babylon and Medo-Persia were heathen nations, God still blessed them and allowed them to prosper as long as they treated His people fairly, allowing them to worship him without hindrance.

Brethren, let us be about the business of standing like Daniel by being faithful in the disposition of our service toward God. Maybe if we remain faithful in our stand for righteousness and demonstrate that our faith is important to us, this nation will once again rise up and take notice of the value of preserving such freedoms and promoting such principles that govern the moral consciousness of this nation. The way we live our lives and uphold our faith may cause men “To fear and tremble before” our God and father. However, if the foundations be destroyed, we must continue to take our stand for truth and righteousness. Such would be no time to abandon our faith and service to the Lord (Psalm 11).