Daniel in the Lions' Den: Facing Challenges of Faith at Work

In Daniel 6 we see how Daniel’s faith and faithfulness to God, when he was thrown into the lions’ den, impacted his life afterward. But did you know that today we too can face a “lions’ den”?

Right now, perhaps we feel as though we are in a “lions’ den,” facing challenges in our profession that will test our faith and faithfulness to God. What lessons from Daniel’s story can we apply as we face challenges in the workplace?

Reflected in Daily Life

It pleased Darius to appoint one hundred and twenty satraps over his kingdom, stationed throughout the whole kingdom; over them were three high officials, and Daniel was one of the three; to them the satraps were to give account, so that the king might suffer no loss. Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the high officials and the satraps, because an extraordinary spirit was in him; and the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.– Daniel 6:1-3

Daniel was taken to Babylon while still young (Daniel 1:1-6). By the time he held a position comparable to a prime minister’s rank (he supervised the governors during the Persian Empire), we may assume he was already past middle age. Yet age was no obstacle for Daniel to keep serving God. 

One reason the king made Daniel a high official was his clean track record. Verse 2 says that Daniel was responsible for ensuring that the king suffered no loss. The assumption is that the king would choose supervisors who had never caused him loss, namely those with a good work history.

It turned out that Daniel’s appointment threatened the other officials who had a habit of corruption. They then plotted to bring him down, but they found no fault in Daniel except in matters of his religion.

What made Daniel a clean and blameless official from youth to old age? The answer is his faith and faithfulness to God, which he kept practicing in his daily life. With such a high position, intelligence, and the king’s great trust, Daniel had many opportunities to abuse his power and act arbitrarily. Yet he continued to worship the true God and always carried out His commands.

The evidence of our faith is our faithfulness in obeying God’s commands,  including in the workplace. As employees, we work honestly, refusing every form of personal gain that harms the business owner. As business owners, we should compete fairly, not bring down competitors through dishonest means, and not treat employees unjustly. A good work ethic reflects our lives as children of God.

Spiritual Consistency Without Compromise

When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house. In his upper room he had windows open toward Jerusalem; three times a day he knelt, prayed, and gave praise to his God, just as he had always done. – Daniel 6:10

Daniel knelt and prayed to God three times a day. In every situation, he kept praying, even when the decree forbidding prayer was issued. Interestingly, this command applied for only thirty days. That means Daniel could have avoided punishment by compromising, namely by not praying while the ban was in effect. Yet Daniel still showed spiritual consistency without compromise.

What if there is a policy at work that does not align with our faith? In the past, the place where I worked required staff to take Sunday duty shifts. I then met with my supervisor and explained that I could not take part in the Sunday duty schedule because I wanted to worship. Thankfully, my reason was accepted by my supervisor and coworkers, so I was excused from Sunday duty.

When facing challenges in the workplace, keep our commitment to remain consistent in pursuing our relationship with God. Keep praying, meditating on God’s Word, and gathering with fellow believers.

Hope in God

After the king heard this, he was greatly distressed, and he sought a way to rescue Daniel; until sunset he kept trying to save him. Then those men came hastily to the king and said to him:  “Know, O king, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians, no injunction or decree established by the king can be changed!” 

After that the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel: "May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” 

– Daniel 6:14-16

All day long, King Darius struggled to save Daniel so that he would not be thrown into the lions’ den. But he could not violate the law he himself had made. After that, we know how the lions did not touch Daniel. Indeed, he had broken the king’s law, but he had never broken a law higher than that.

Then the king was overjoyed and gave orders that Daniel be lifted out of the den. So Daniel was lifted out of the den, and no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. – Daniel 6: 23

Daniel hoped in God, and he was vindicated. His faith and faithfulness led to his deliverance from the lions’ den and, in the end, brought glory to God’s name.

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Does our workplace right now feel like a “lions’ den”? We receive criticism that is not constructive, unrealistic expectations for achievement, unfair treatment, and so on. And who else is able to deliver us from all those trials and tests except God? 

Keep hoping in God, who is able to work in extraordinary ways in matters beyond our control. In this hope, we will one day glorify God. 

True faith and spiritual faithfulness are proven through our attitude toward others in daily life. Of course, this faith and faithfulness do not appear suddenly, but are cultivated through consistency in pursuing a relationship with God. Those who seek to practice the truth will face temptations and the tests of life, and only by hoping in God can we endure them. Amen.

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