Down In The Lion’s Den

I would gather that most Christians know the story of Daniel in the lion’s den, but just in case you don’t in the first part of this post I will recap it for you.

In the sixth chapter of the Old Testament book of Daniel, the Bible tells us that Daniel was one of King Darius’ favorites, so much so, that the King had planned to set Daniel over his whole kingdom. Daniel’s colleagues having learned of this plan became jealous and sought to have Daniel killed, by connivingly persuading the king to draft a decree stating that if anyone who prays to any god or human being aside from the king within the next 30 days shall be thrown into the lion’s den. These men knew Daniel was a devout man, very faithful in prayer to God, and because they could find no other means to have Daniel cast down they took the measure of getting the king to draft the decree.

Daniel knew about the decree, but his faith to God was strong and sure. Not even the threat of death was enough to dissuade him from his worship and commitment to the one true God. Daniel did not cease in praying to God three times a day, and his colleagues caught him praying and turned him in to the king. The king did not want to go through with throwing Daniel in the lion’s den, but these men reminded him that this law cannot be changed and punishment must be served. The king reluctantly proceeded to throw Daniel in the lion’s den.

The following morning the king rushed to the lion’s den to see if the God that Daniel served had saved him. He called out to Daniel, who responded by telling the king that God had sent His angel to shut the mouth of the lions, and that he was not hurt. The king was joyous and after releasing Daniel out of the den proceeded to honor the ONE TRUE GOD.

God Is Faithful

The story of Daniel in the lion’s den is a beautiful and powerful illustration of God’s faithfulness to us for a life of commitment and obedience. Daniel was a praying man, faithful to God to the highest degree. And because of this fact, when Daniel faced certain death God sent His angel of protection to shut the mouths of the lions, and deliver Daniel from danger.

Many times in our lives we find ourselves down in the lion’s den. Metaphorically speaking, for some the lion’s den might have been depression, it might have been the loss of a loved one…maybe it was a destructive addiction, or an abusive situation. We might not have lived as noble a life as the prophet Daniel, and in many cases it might have been as a result of our own actions that we found ourselves down in that den. Whatever the ‘lion’s den’ of your life may be, and regardless of how you got there, God is faithful and just to deliver you.

For those who have walked upright, and have lived faithful lives the Bible tells us in 1 Corinthians 15:58 to be steadfast and unmovable, knowing that your labor for the Lord is not in vain. We must not waiver, and we must stand firmly rooted in the faith and knowledge of God’s promises to us. There are not many people I know who cannot attest to something that God has delivered them from.

Just Give It Up

Then there are those believers who have backslidden and unrepentantly lived in sin, who find themselves in the ‘lion’s den’. God loves you just the same, and He extends to you a way out. God tells us in 2 Chronicles 7:14 that, when we humble ourselves, pray, seek His face, and turn from our wicked ways , He will hear us and will deliver us from our mess. Many times when we have lived backslidden lives the enemy tries to trick us into giving up and throwing in the towel. God wants you to give up and throw in the towel as well. But the difference is that satan wants you to give up and concede to eternal damnation. While our loving, merciful, and mighty Father wants you to give up and throw in the towel on your sinful ways so that you will have abundant and eternal LIFE!

So when you’re going through a rough patch in life, which we will all almost surely do, think about all the wonderful promises and provisions God has made to us and for us. Think about how God rewards us for our faithfulness through even the most dire of situations. Finally, think about the fact that the victory is already won, and how your test will become your testimony, helping to lead others out of the lion’s den, closer to Christ and eternal life with our heavenly Father.

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