Grammar matters. Twice in his book Daniel is addressed with an appositive phrase: once by King Darius and a second time by the angel Gabriel. They are important clues to who Daniel was at bottom.

Daniel rose to prominence in the government of King Darius. The king was planning to place Daniel second in command in his kingdom because “an excellent spirit was in him.” The other officials became jealous and set a trap for Daniel that landed him in the lions’ den.

When you have been sentenced to death very little matters. Your identity has been stripped from you. Were you of a noble line? What good is that? Did you hold high office? It has vanished. Who are you? And what identity can survive such a crushing blow?

The king, who could not reverse the law or Daniel’s sentence, did not sleep that night. Early in the morning he arose and went to the den and cried out in anguish,

O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions? (Dan. 6:20 ESV)

The King did not call Daniel a ruler, a high official, but a servant of the living God. King Darius knew that before Daniel was his man, he was first God’s man. The king knew that because Daniel’s life spoke so loudly. But Daniel needed to hear that. And the envious rulers of Babylon needed to hear that too.

When all has been taken from you, who—or whose—are you?