When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and plea before his God. Then they came near and said before the king, concerning the injunction, “O king! Did you not sign an injunction, that anyone who makes petition to any god or man within thirty days except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing stands fast, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Then they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or the injunction you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
Then the king, when he heard these words, was much distressed and set his mind to deliver Daniel. And he labored till the sun went down to rescue him. Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed.” – Daniel 6:10-15

As we continue working through this famous story, there are a few things worth taking a solid look:
Daniel’s action after learning of the document never changed. He acted exactly the same after as he did before. In other words, he neither feared the proclamation nor its consequences, but continued seeking after God regardless. This shows us that practice and consistency are important things that will help keep us grounded when the heat is on. If spiritual disciples are not a habit for you now, they won’t be under high stress situations, either. And that’s when we need them the most.

Darius, though arrogant enough to sign the document, seems to be more like-minded to Nebuchadnezzar than to Belshazzar. Once he realized what he’d done, he tried to fix it – though to no avail, at least initially. Darius never wanted to hurt Daniel; that was only the conspirators. Darius, in fact would be rooting for Daniel through this danger.

What does this tell us? Again, if we live by the Spirit, we will stand out. Some won’t like us, but others will. And God will use that influence for His Kingdom building. Yet, in order to be successful, we have to stay committed to living our faith out even with eyes on us and the heat turned up. We can only do that if we practice our faith now, when it is easy. When life gets hard, those habits need to be there, or else they will leave you high and dry.