Faithfulness Before the Lions: Why Taking Responsibility Creates Space for God to Move

by Dave Miller

When most people think of Daniel, they think of dreams, visions, and the lions’ den. They remember him as the man who interpreted the mysterious writing on the wall and survived a night among hungry beasts. But those miracles, as powerful as they are, don’t define the core of Daniel’s life. What truly made Daniel stand out—what put him in the position for those moments—was his daily, disciplined, responsible faithfulness.

Daniel didn’t chase opportunity. He took responsibility.

From the moment he was exiled to Babylon as a young man, Daniel obeyed the command given through Jeremiah: “Seek the welfare of the city where I have sent you into exile, and pray to the Lord on its behalf” (Jer. 29:7). He didn’t isolate in bitterness or assimilate in compromise. He took responsibility in exile, and that posture opened every door God would later use for influence and impact.

He Was Known for His Habits—Not Just His Prayers

In Daniel 6, we see this with piercing clarity. By now an older man, Daniel had risen through the ranks of a pagan empire not because of political manipulation or compromise, but because of consistent, exceptional character.

“Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom.”

— Daniel 6:3

He was known by his competence, trustworthiness, and unshakable consistency. The other officials, threatened by his integrity, couldn’t find any dirt on him. No skeletons. No corruption. The only angle they could exploit was his faithfulness to God.

Think about that. Daniel’s habits were so visible, so reliable, that his enemies built a law around his prayer life, knowing he wouldn’t skip a single day.

Faithfulness wasn’t just something Daniel claimed—it was observable. Measurable. Predictable. And it was the very trap meant to destroy him that God used to elevate him and make His name known among kings.

Faithfulness Is the Platform God Trusts with Influence

God used Daniel to shape the future of empires, but the foundation was daily faithfulness in tasks that seemed ordinary—administration, service, consistency in prayer, and a posture of seeking the good of others. Daniel was not chasing dreams or platform or breakthrough. He was simply being a man God could count on.

That’s a challenge we need today.

We often want to be used by God in powerful ways—speak to kings, face lions, see visions—but the real question is: Can we be trusted to take our daily responsibilities seriously? Are we so consistent in our habits, so excellent in our work, that the only “flaw” our enemies could find is that we take God too seriously?

That’s the kind of life that creates space for God to move.

Don’t Chase Opportunities—Take Responsibility

We live in a culture obsessed with opportunity, but God is still looking for stewards. You may not be standing before emperors, but your faithfulness in your job, your family, your calling, and your spiritual life matters more than you realize.

Responsibility precedes opportunity. Excellence builds trust. Trust opens doors.

Daniel didn’t become great because he was lucky. He became great because he could be counted on. Before the lions, before the visions, before the miracles—there was a man who simply showed up, did the hard work, prayed three times a day, and sought the good of the land he didn’t choose to live in.

Be the Kind of Person God Uses

You don’t need to manipulate your way into influence. You don’t need to chase the spotlight. What you need is to live in such a way that God—and others—know you can be counted on.

Be faithful when no one’s looking. Be trustworthy with the little. Be consistent when others are cutting corners. And don’t underestimate how much God can do with a life of quiet, courageous responsibility.

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Takeaway Challenge:

This week, ask yourself: What areas of my life have I treated as optional that God sees as critical?

Then pick one and commit to showing up with the same resolve Daniel had—even if no one sees but God.

Let responsibility become your offering. That’s when lions become doorways.

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