Daily Devotion: Feel Good Friday Thoughts | January 30, 2026
It’s your Friday daily devotion. Today, notice Daniel’s integrity doesn’t waver, though his faith is tested in Babylon. As a Hebrew with authority, he’s the object of jealousy and rivalry. The enemy may fight against you, but God protects those who trust in Him.
Daniel is Promoted
In Daniel 6, King Darius promotes Daniel to the highest rank. Verse 3 says, “Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.” Advancement can bring jealousy, which happens when the presidents and princes conspire against Daniel, seeking to find fault.
The enemy is hard at work to uproot your life. It doesn’t matter that you walk in obedience to God’s word. His strategy is to destroy God’s people, and he’ll use others against you. In your daily devotion, say this out loud: “The enemy cannot curse what God has blessed.”
A Wicked Decree
The conspirators can’t find fault with Daniel concerning the kingdom. They realize he’s a devout man, so to find fault, it must involve the laws of his God. They go before the king, requesting a royal decree that no one petitions anyone but him for the next thirty days. Anyone who disobeys gets a one-way trip to the lion’s den.
They know that Daniel opens his windows toward Jerusalem three times a day, praying to the God of Israel. The king signs the decree, not knowing he’s setting up Daniel for attack. In this daily devotion, say that even though hand joins in hand, the wicked won’t be unpunished.
A Man of Prayer
The princes and presidents hurry to Daniel’s home. Daniel isn’t defying the king’s decree; he has an established routine of prayer, petitioning the true and living God. They go back and report to the king that Daniel is praying to his God, which is in direct disobedience to the decree he just signed. What’s more, once a decree is signed, it can’t be revoked.
The king realizes he’s been entrapped and works till sundown to deliver Daniel, but the conspirators are adamant. In verse 15, they reply, “No decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.” In today’s daily devotion, declare that just because the weapon is formed against you, it doesn’t mean it will prosper.
The Lion’s Den Awaits
When the king realizes he can’t stop Daniel’s fate, he’s thrown into the lion’s den, after the king hopefully proclaims, “Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.” The king’s whole night is spent wide awake, as he’s worried about Daniel, his most trusted advisor. As soon as daybreak arrives, he runs to the mouth of the lion’s den and calls for Daniel.
After customarily addressing the king, Daniel replies, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me.” The king is overjoyed and commands that Daniel be brought out of the lion’s den. This is great news for Daniel but bad news for his conspirators, because the king orders them thrown into the lion’s den along with their families, and the lions overpower them. In this daily devotion, rejoice that God can turn the tables on any conspiracy plotted against you.
God’s Protection
In Friday’s daily devotion, remember the saying that what goes around comes around. Daniel’s conspirators didn’t realize they were digging their own pit. Daniel’s God answers prayers, while whatever they prayed to doesn’t. In your daily devotion, know that the same God who protected Daniel in the lion’s den is the One who protects you.
