Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.
Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. – Daniel 6:19-28

Daniel, forced to suffer through a long night in the den of lions, comes through the experience unharmed and with even more influence. By the time this night ends, Darius is running to Daniel, openly praising God and (drastically) making changes in his kingdom that favors the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. It is obvious, in these stories, that Daniel is repeatedly forced to suffer for the gospel. The text makes it clear that it was no fault of Daniel’s. Therefore, Daniel suffered so that the kings he served (and thus many others) might know Jehovah and place their faith in Him.

So what can we learn from Daniel and his success? It works! Daniel’s suffering led to repentance and change on those he influenced. Suffering is not fun, but it is purposeful. So hang on; if you are experiencing difficulties because God is using you in the life of other people, then your success may very well mean their life! “All who desire to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Tim. 3:12). That is a guarantee for us—and it is being used for salvation for others! What a way to participate in the life of Jesus.

Praise be to the God of heaven who uses us for His glory! May we be faithful to endure.