The Lion’s Den

3 Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. -Daniel 6:3 BSB

Daniel was a righteous man who feared God by keeping His commands (Daniel 1:8). God blessed Daniel above all of the king’s officials, so much so that they wanted to destroy him out of jealousy. Their jealousy was brought about by Satan to manipulate them, as these officials could influence the king with trickery, to have him destroy Daniel.

The officials tried to find any corruption in Daniel’s dealings but failed (Daniel 6:4). Daniel’s closeness to God kept him away from wickedness—practicing a lifestyle of sin.

Their next step was to hit Daniel’s relationship with his God and put him in a situation where he could compromise that relationship out of fear. Even though the wicked officials wanted Daniel not to break it so they could accuse him, Satan, on the other hand, wanted Daniel to compromise his faith. Whatever Daniel decided to do, he was in trouble—to either sin against God or the possibility to go to the lions, but he knew that God was on his side and had the power to close the lion’s mouth. He also understood that it was safer to obey God instead of saving his skin, resulting in disobeying God’s Word by not praying out of fear.

6 So the administrators and satraps went together to the king and said, “O King Darius, may you live forever! 7 All the royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers, and governors have agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce a decree that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions. -Daniel 6:6-7 BSB

Satan will use fear to get us to compromise our faith in Christ to go along with society—Satan’s domain—which will make you go against the Word of God. The enemy will use governors and leaders to make laws that will hinder the spreading of the gospel like, using a pandemic to close churches and put pastors in jail if they preach, even if they are doing it outside.

After Daniel learned that king Darius signed the decree into law, which stated “that for thirty days anyone who petitions any god or man except you, O king, will be thrown into the den of lions,” it didn’t faze him one bit. His faith was firm, solid as a rock. He went home, and without thinking twice, he prayed to the true Living God.

These wicked officials began surveilling Daniel to see if they could catch him breaking the king’s decree so that they could bring an accusation against him to the king.

11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel petitioning and imploring his God. -Daniel 6:11 BSB

Daniel was asking God for help concerning his predicament. Most likely, Daniel was asking God to save him from going to the lion’s den. How did God answer his prayer? He didn’t save Daniel from being thrown into the lion’s den. He allowed it because it was in His plan.

16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” -Daniel 6:16 BSB

Why would a loving God not help a righteous man like Daniel? Because the only way that anybody can see God’s hand and power is if one goes through it and He brings them out unscathed. When you pray to the Lord to help you from going through something difficult, God will not take you away from it, but He will help you through it. In that way, God will get the glory, and you, as well as everyone around you, will see God’s power in action, and God will reward you for your faithfulness.

19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. 20 When he reached the den, he cried out in a voice of anguish, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel replied, “O king, may you live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, for I was found innocent in His sight, and I have done no wrong against you, O king.” -Daniel 6:19-22 BSB

Darius Honors God

26 I hereby decree that in every part of my kingdom, men are to tremble in fear before the God of Daniel: For He is the living God, and He endures forever; His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His dominion will never end. 27 He delivers and rescues; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” -Daniel 6:25-27 BSB

God Blessed Daniel Through Two Kings

28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. -Daniel 6:28 BSB

Follow me on Telegram: t.me/spiritualminefield

Advertisement