Life Principle 17

: We Stand Tallest and Strongest on Our Knees

Table of Contents

1. The Principle of Kneeling
2. Daniel Kneels with Windows Open (Daniel 6:10-12)
3. The Full Account of Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:1-28)
4. How Did Daniel Distinguish Himself?
5. What Trap Did They Lay for Him?
6. Why Did Daniel Disobey the Decree?
7. Why Didn’t Daniel Hide His Prayer?
8. How Did the King React?
9. How Did God Honor Him?
10. What Became an Example of Daniel’s Obedience?
11. Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand (1 Peter 5:6-11)
12. What Is God’s Promise If You Obey Him?
13. What Lion Must You Watch Out For?
14. What Did You Learn from Daniel’s Example About Fighting the Enemy?
15. Application: Kneel to Stand Tall

Beloved friend, the tallest men and women in God’s kingdom are those who know how to kneel. Life Principle 17 declares that we stand tallest and strongest on our knees. Prayer is not weakness; it is the place of power. Daniel discovered this truth in Babylon, and we must learn it today. Let us open the Scriptures and learn.

The Principle of Kneeling

The world measures strength by standing tall and speaking loud. God measures strength by the one who bows low and prays often. When we kneel before the living God, we stand taller than any throne or threat.

Daniel Kneels with Windows Open (Daniel 6:10-12)

Daniel 6:10-12 (NKJV)
10 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 down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”

Daniel knew the decree was signed. He went home, opened his windows toward Jerusalem, and knelt. He did not hide. He prayed as he always had.

The Full Account of Daniel in the Lions’ Den (Daniel 6:1-28)

Daniel 6:1-28 (NKJV)
1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom;
2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss.
3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm.
4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him.
5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.”
6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever!
7 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.
8 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.”
9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree.
10 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 down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days.
11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.
12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?”
The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.”
13 So they answered and said before the king, “That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition three times a day.”
14 And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
15 Then these men approached the king, and said to the king, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25 Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

How Did Daniel Distinguish Himself?

Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him. He was faithful. No charge or fault could be found against him concerning the kingdom. His distinction came from character and integrity rooted in his relationship with God.

What Trap Did They Lay for Him?

They could find no fault in his work, so they set a trap concerning the law of his God. They persuaded the king to sign a decree that for thirty days no one could petition any god or man except the king. Violation meant the lions’ den. The trap was aimed at his prayer life.

Why Did Daniel Disobey the Decree?

Daniel disobeyed because his loyalty to God was higher than his loyalty to any human decree. When the writing was signed, he continued his custom of praying three times a day. Obedience to God came first.

Why Didn’t Daniel Hide His Prayer?

He did not hide because prayer was his custom since early days. His windows were open toward Jerusalem. He was not ashamed of his God. Hiding would have been a form of denial. Open windows declared that God was greater than the decree.

How Did the King React?

When the king heard the accusation, he was greatly displeased with himself. He set his heart on delivering Daniel and labored until sunset. He spent the night fasting. In the morning he rushed to the den, hoping God had delivered Daniel. His reaction showed both regret and hope.

How Did God Honor Him?

God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths. Daniel was taken up unharmed because he believed in his God. The king then cast the accusers into the den, and they were destroyed. Darius issued a decree that all must fear the God of Daniel. Daniel prospered.

What Became an Example of Daniel’s Obedience to God?

Daniel’s open, consistent prayer became a living example that obedience to God, even under threat of death, results in divine deliverance and honor. His faithfulness turned a trap into a testimony.

Humble Yourselves Under the Mighty Hand (1 Peter 5:6-11)

1 Peter 5:6-11 (NKJV)
6 Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time,
7 casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you.
8 Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.
9 Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.
10 But may the God of all grace, who called us to His eternal glory by Christ Jesus, after you have suffered a while, perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.
11 To Him be the glory and the dominion forever and ever. Amen.

What Is God’s Promise If You Obey Him?

If you humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, He will exalt you in due time. After you have suffered a while, the God of all grace will perfect, establish, strengthen, and settle you.

What Lion Must You Watch Out For?

Your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Be sober and vigilant. Resist him, steadfast in the faith.

What Did You Learn from Daniel’s Example About Fighting the Enemy?

Daniel fought the enemy on his knees. He did not scheme or hide. He prayed openly and consistently. God shut the mouths of the lions. The greatest weapon against the roaring lion is humble, steadfast prayer. We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.

Application: Kneel to Stand Tall

Friend, the world will try to trap you concerning the law of your God. Do not hide your prayer. Kneel with windows open. Cast your care upon the Lord. Resist the devil. Humble yourself under the mighty hand of God, and He will exalt you in due time. We stand tallest and strongest on our knees.

Amen.