Daniel 6:19 reads, “At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God,whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?”
Aren’t we all a little like King Darius in the story of Daniel and the lions’ den? An edict was issued that any person who prays to any god or man in the next 30 days other than the king would be thrown into the lions’ den. The basis of this decree was actually a plot against Daniel because he was rising in favor with the king. They knew the only way to ‘get’ Daniel and discredit him would be to throw interference in the laws of his God. Daniel was known for his devotion and love of God.
Daniel learns of the decree but continues to openly pray and worship God. When the king’s advisors come to him and tell him that Daniel is breaking the law, Darius is very distressed and tries greatly to save him. “When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed: he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him” – Daniel 6: 14.
The king is forced to give the order, and Daniel is thrown into the lions’ den. The king says to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” – Daniel 6:16.
Often, we are a lot like King Darius. We want to believe that God can rescue us. We want to believe that everything is going to work out. We dare to hope, but when it comes down to it, we refuse. In the back of our minds, we are looking up with a ‘prove it’ mentality. Some of us may even get angry at God, shaking our fists in the air like children, and turning our backs on Him. “Look at the mess I’m in! And I serve you?”
Do you know the entire night, the king did not sleep? I wonder if it is because he wanted so desperately to believe in the possibility of Daniel’s rescue, and yet he wasn’t strong enough to admit it. I can imagine his thoughts, “Is it possible for this God Daniel serves to be for real?”
What about you? When faced with the lions’ den, do you believe God will rescue you or do you sit back with a wait and see mentality of doubt?
Hebrews 11:6, “And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him.”
I am sure that Daniel willingly approach the lions’ den too. He wasn’t kicking and screaming or death gripping the ground. Daniel knew God would deliver him. He had no doubts.
In the morning, in an anguished voice, King Darius calls down into the pit. Do you think that King Darius did that for every execution? No. More than likely, no one ever checked on the victims. No, Darius wanted to believe but couldn’t find the courage to do so.
Are you a Darius or a Daniel? When trials come your way, how do you respond? Do you require God to prove His faithfulness to you? Or do you step into the lions’ den, knowing the God you serve will rescue you from the power of the lions?
Believe today your God will shut the mouths of the lions in your life. Faith is not an act for when times are good; faith is knowing no matter what happens in your life, your God “rescues and saves.”
