Dilemma in the Den of Lions – PART 5

Dilemma in the Den of Lions (Daniel 6:16-28) – PART 5

The king is in great distress as this has to be the hardest command the king ever made. The king's great concern was not the dynasty he ruled, but Daniel, the godly man. He was putting his best man in government in the den of lions which was normally certain death. Take note of what Darius said to Daniel as he was about to face his execution. The testimony which Daniel had was “he served God continually”. A powerful lesson remains to this day regarding how important faithfulness is to the Lord. Our lack of holiness is why many of our prayers are not answered and why God does not work on our behalf.

To secure that Daniel would not get out, nor that any assistance would come in, a large stone was pushed over the opening. What’s worth noting is that no stone of man will stop God. The angel got into the den regardless of the stone. Psalm 91:1, “For he shall give his angels charge over thee, to keep thee in all thy ways.” Psalm 34:7, “The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them.” Hebrews 1:14, “Are they not all ministering spirits, sent forth to minister for them who shall be heirs of salvation?”

That evening, Daniel spent the night with the king of the beasts, but most importantly the King of kings, the Lion of Judah, was near him. The king, who should have slept, didn't rest and the man who should have stayed awake for fear, rested in God's care. There was no supper, no stereo, nor any sleep because the king was so disheartened. Sin never brings peaceful nights, only restless nights. God protected this godly man and can protect us any time He wishes to do so. When we are in those helpless situations, our Lord proves to us He is strong. A living faith in a living God will give courage and strength for every emergency in life.

Sometimes God prefers to keep us safe in the lions' den rather than safe from the lions' den. We may go through troubles and trials and not be spared the storms of life, but God can keep us in turbulent times just as easily as He can keep us from difficult times. Often it brings more glory to the Lord to save us in our troubles than to save us from our troubles.

God has a way of turning the tables against the wicked. The accusers of Daniel were executed by the lions. These men reaped what they had sown. They desired Daniel to be eaten by the lions, but they and their families were eaten by lions.

It was not Daniel that took revenge against these men. God vindicated Daniel and took care of the "revenge" issued through the king himself. The scales of justice were leveled in the end. This is why the Lord urges us to not take revenge against others. Romans 12:19, “Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.”

God honors faithfulness. Because Daniel remained faithful to God, even to the point of death, God was with him and delivered him from his enemies, from the decrees of the king, and from the power of the lions. We may never face a den of lions. We may never face a burring fiery furnace like Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego did. But, we might face some of the trials other saints of God have been called on to endure. We might face times of sickness, sorrow, distress, persecution, death, and hardship. Through it all, the Lord simply demands that we be faithful.

• He has promised us that He will never leave us (Hebrews 13:5; Matthew 28:20).
• He has promised us grace sufficient for every step we take (II Corinthians 12:9).
• He has promised to guide every step we take (Psalms 37:23).
• He has promised to meet every need we have in life (Philippians 4:19; Matthew 6:25-34).
• He has promised to hear us and help us when we call on His name (Jeremiah 33:3; Philippians 4:6-7).

Prayer: Lord, You have delivered me from countless circumstances. You have parted waters for me and have delivered me from fiery trials by Your sovereign hand while my enemies were encouraging me to doubt and deny You. You hastily answered my simple cry for help. Thank You for preserving me from my persecutors. In Jesus name, Amen!

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