The king’s decree

I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. - Daniel 6v26-27

We never know what might happen when we choose to do the right thing and trust God. When Daniel decided to continue praying like he always had he knew that he might very well die. He knew that, and probably suspected it, when they open the gates to the lion’s den. Despite that he still decided to trust God and do the right thing.

We know the story now. God did deliver him and as a result the king made a new decree for all the land. The unchangeable law of the Medes and Persians was changed. He made a new law that established Daniel’s God as God. I know of course that you can’t legislate true faith. I know that having an official state religion does not work.

However, laying that aside, Daniel’s faith had an impact on the king of pagan Babylon. The king recognised that Daniel’s God was the living God. He recognised that Daniel’s God was steadfast forever and that His kingdom would never be destroyed. He recognised that God delivers and works signs and wonders.

The God of a conquered nation was not recognised as the God of the conquering land. What a change Daniel’s faith made.

God does always change a king’s heart because we trust Him and do right. But He can change the hearts of our friends and neighbours and co-workers because of our testimony of faith. God will be honoured when we faithfully trust and serve Him.