You know, I don’t think any of us would go get a job, and then ask our employer on the first day for a year’s wages in advance. That’s ridiculous. You work for what you get, not the other way around. Yet there are some who expect great blessings and miracles from God without any effort on their part. Heaven knows how to put the proper price on its goods, and that price is faith and obedience. Would you please consider the following story about Daniel?

By the decree of Darius the Persian king, Daniel the Hebrew is unwittingly condemned to death and thrown in the lion’s den. All night the king agonizes over Daniel, hoping that his God will spare him. Early the next morning, the king runs to the den and removes the stone.

“… O Daniel,” he said, “servant of the living God, is thy God,” – and catch this line - “whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?” (Daniel 6:20)

As then as it were from the very jaws of hell itself, Daniel calls up, “… O king, live for ever.” (Daniel 6:21)

The king is so impressed by Daniel and his miraculous delivery that he sends forth a decree commanding all men everywhere to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, “… for He is the Living God, …” the king says. Daniel is subsequently restored to his high position in the government and enjoys great prosperity. (Daniel 6:26)

This is a story and a miracle so great that almost every child knows it. But how often do we teach why Daniel was worthy of such a miracle? What’s the story behind it? Well, if you would permit me, may I share just a little?

As a child, Daniel refused to violate the health code of his religion by eating the rich food commanded by King Nebuchadnezzar. Because of that, not only did Daniel enjoy better health, but he was considered ten times wiser than any of the wisest men in Babylon. You know, he could have done what the rest of the crowd was doing, and ate the food and drank the wine, but he didn’t.

Later, when the king decreed the death of all wise men in Babylon because they could not interpret his dream, it was Daniel who refused to roll over and accept death. He went boldly before the king risking his life, and with the Lord’s help interpreted the dream, thus saving many lives. He could have run away, but he didn’t.

Again, it is the courageous Daniel who stands before two different kings, and denounces them for their wickedness, commands them to repent, and prophecies their eventual fall from power. Now, either king by the simple speaking of a word could have killed Daniel in a moment. Yet, Daniel feared God more than man, and boldly he told the truth.

Lastly, in his later life, Daniel has now received and achieved all that the world could possibly offer: fame, fortune, power, position – and yet he sacrifices it all in a moment when he refuses to give up his daily prayers. This is a man of faith!

Throughout his life, Daniel was consistent; he was a consistent example of unflagging courage, faith, and integrity. Is it any wonder then, that in his moment of need in the lion’s den, his lifetime of faith was rewarded by the miraculous appearance of an angel who stopped the lions’ mouths?

Faith precedes the miracle. May it be so with us that we don’t come to expect something for nothing – either from life, or from God.