“Then they told the king, ‘That man Daniel, one of the captives from Judah, is ignoring you and your law. He still prays to his God three times a day.
Hearing this, the king was deeply troubled, and he tried to think of a way to save Daniel. He spent the rest of the day looking for a way to get Daniel out of this predicament. In the evening the men went together to the king and said, ‘Your majesty, you know that according to the law of the Medes and Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.’
So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of Lions. The king said to him, ‘May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” Daniel 6: 13-16
Back then, lions roamed throughout the countryside and forests. People were in fear of them and greatly respected the strength and prowess of lions. Kings used to consider it a sport to hunt down and capture them. The Persians captured the lions and put them in large parks or dens where they were fed and attended to (kind of like a zoo). Lions were also used to execute people…they would maul them to death and eat them… I shudder at that thought! But our God has ways of delivering his people that none of us can imagine. There is never, I repeat…there is never a time to give up or give in to the pressures from unbelievers, because God’s power is something they know nothing about! God can even shut the mouth of lions!
So I speak “life” to everybody who is reading this. Whatever you are going through…God is able to deliver you! Maybe not the way you want or think, but I know that He knows what’s best for you, and I know he loves you with an unfailing love! So be encouraged! Someone said this to me this morning, it lifted me up, and I’ll pass it along to you… “It is amazing how when we take our focus off of ourselves and place it on others how much we can grow in Him and how much we can feel the love of the Lord in our lives.”
“Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night. Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, ‘Daniel, servant of the Living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?’
Daniel answered, ‘Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in His sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.’
The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.” Daniel 6: 18-24
Evil deeds often backfire on those who plan cruelty.
“Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world:
Peace and prosperity to you!
I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For he is the living God,
and he will endure forever.
His kingdom will never be destroyed,
and his rule will never end.
He rescues and saves his people;
he performs miraculous signs and wonders
in the heavens and on earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions!
So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” Daniel 6: 25-28
Remember King Nebby? He had come to believe that Israel’s God was real because of the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends. Here we see that King Darius was also convinced of God’s power because of the faithfulness Daniel showed, and how God rescued him as a result. Although Daniel was in a strange land, his devotion to God was a testimony. If you find yourself in new surroundings, take the opportunity to testify about God’s power in your life. Be faithful to God so He can use you to make an impact on others:)