Daniel 6:15
‘Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”’
These guys aren’t only jealous, but foolish. Daniel was favored by the king. They were envious. They tricked the king to sign a law, which they hoped would catch Daniel in disobedience to it. Their plan worked. However, they were worried the king wouldn’t follow his own law. They hadn’t planned on the king’s response in trying to save Daniel. This brings today’s verse. If they weren’t dead before this verse, they are because of it. The king knew he was tricked, because they were jealous of Daniel. Today’s verse cements that knowledge. In essence they are saying, “now king, don’t disobey your own law.”
This verse shows the blindness of sin. These guys are cutting their own throats with their actions. Their sin was envy. Like most sin it blinds. These guys were counselors, they were the wisest in the kingdom. But they missed this. Hebrews 3:13 says, “But exhort one another daily, as long as it is called today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin’s deceitfulness.”
I can recall being in sin and thinking that I wouldn’t get caught. I was wrong, but at the time I was confident I would get away with it. If we sin we will get trapped by it.
This is why Jesus wants to rescue us from sin. It not only deceives us, but enslaves and will eventually bring us to hell. John 8:34 says, ‘Jesus replied, “Truly, truly, I tell you, everyone who sins is a slave to sin.”‘ We in the US love being free. We have free speech and free actions. Most don’t know that they are enslaved. Some know it, most don’t. Those controlled by substance do. Some go to AA to get help. Some come to Christ because of this addiction. Their curse becomes a blessing. It drives them to salvation.
God allows us the freedom to make our choices. Even though it enslaves us. We want that. However, we end up in some bad states because of it. God calls to us messages of deliverance. That’s His mercy. Most are usually set in their ways and have no interest in changing. However, they don’t like the results of sin. For that they may change.
I had a fear of death. I wasn’t sure if I was right with God. When opportunities to fix that arose I jumped at it. I had no clue what I was doing. He saved me. It took months to know I was in Christ. I felt His hand on me. Thoughts of Him filled my mind. I would talk to many about Him.
Sin and enslavement didn’t bring me to Christ, but I have pleaded with Him plenty while in Christ. He freed me from sin. I fall into it from time to time, but He rescues me again. My sinful nature gravitates toward sin. It likes to sin. This temptation isn’t a sin, but could lead to it.
We are to speak of His freeing power. He has saved us, so we should share His ability to deliver. This is part of the good news. That He has power over sin and wants to rescue us.
Lord, thank You for Your deliverance. Open our eyes to sin and how it enslaves us. Rescue us. Help us to walk in dependence on You.