Where would I be found?

Desiring to destroy Daniel, due to jealousy, the governors and princes devise a plan to use Daniel’s unshakeable allegiance to GOD against him.

“They assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live forever.” Daniel 6:6

This was not a casual, peaceful assembly. “Assembled together” in this verse means, to gather tumultuously, excitedly, disorderly, in a rage. They were very excited and anxious to make their presentation to the king, because of the effect that it would have on Daniel.

“All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors, and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” Therefore, King Darius signed the written decree.” Daniel 6:7-9 

To say that all the governors had consulted together and agreed, was false. Daniel certainly did not agree to a decree that would prevent him from petitioning his GOD yet was included by those seeking his downfall. Their deception further reveals the fact that this was just a ruse. They were not concerned about the king not receiving enough respect. This was for the sole purpose of removing Daniel, not only from his position but from this life. An irrevocable law, that would prevent Daniel from praying to the LORD, with the consequences of being cast into a den of lions, was a cleverly devised plan.

“Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.” Daniel 6:10

Daniel did not hear this and purposely go home with a rebel attitude and do something new and different. He was not trying to be seen, for the sake of being seen, but neither did he intend to hide. Daniel’s prayer life consisted of him kneeling three times daily, while facing Jerusalem, praying, and thanking GOD. An unalterable decree, that forbade him from his custom, with the consequences of being cast into a den of lions, did not stop him from remaining faithful to his conversations with GOD. The conspirator’s knowledge of Daniel’s commitment was what influenced their conniving of this decree. It was not intended to unify the kingdom or bring more glory to the king. They chose and pushed for it, because they knew that Daniel would not waver in his commitment to GOD. They again assembled with excitement and unsurprisingly found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. Daniel 6:11  

Self-Reflection

How would such a decree affect us based on the current state of our dedication to prayer?

After hearing that an irrevocable decree that prohibited Daniel from praying to the LORD was signed, and a failure to obey resulted in being cast into a den of lions; Daniel was found praying.

If a similar decree was issued today, where would I be found?