Daniel, Servant Of The Living God! Was Your God, Whom You Serve So Faithfully, Able To Rescue You From The Lions?

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“Daniel, Servant Of The Living God!

Was Your God, Whom You Serve So Faithfully,

Able To Rescue You From The Lions?”

Scripture

Daniel 6

6 So the administrators and high officers went to the king and said, “Long live King Darius! 

7 We are all in agreement—we administrators, officials, high officers, advisers, and governors—that the king should make a law that will be strictly enforced. Give orders that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions. 

8 And now, Your Majesty, issue and sign this law so it cannot be changed, an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.” 

9 So King Darius signed the law.

10 But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God. 

11 Then the officials went together to Daniel’s house and found him praying and asking for God’s help. 

12 So they went straight to the king and reminded him about his law. “Did you not sign a law that for the next thirty days any person who prays to anyone, divine or human—except to you, Your Majesty—will be thrown into the den of lions?”

“Yes,” the king replied, “that decision stands; it is an official law of the Medes and Persians that cannot be revoked.”

13 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.”

14 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.

15 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 the Persians, no law that the king signs can be changed.”

16 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.”

17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. 

18 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.

19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 

20 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?”

21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 

22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

23 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.

24 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.

Observation

The stories of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the fiery furnace and Daniel in the lion's den are two stories that I never get tired of reading or hearing messages about!

They are in the Bible for a reason. What men of faith and courage! God honored them for taking a stand and being men of faith!

Taking a stand and speaking out will put us at odds with a good portion of the people in our country, but you and I must be bold and courageous. We must hold to Biblical principles and maintain convictions that align with God's Word.

By the way, being bold and courageous doesn't mean being rude, arrogant, crude, or disrespectful. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego still spoke with respect when they spoke with their king.

How we talk about other people, the way we talk about them, is actually a real reflection of who we are and what we are really like.

Joshua 1:9

This is my command—be strong and courageous! Do not be afraid or discouraged. For the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”

Daniel 3:16-18

16 Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter.

17 If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.

18 But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”

1 Peter 3:15

15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Application

I want to have the courage and boldness and humility of Daniel, and Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego.

How about you? Are you willing to stand up for what is right?

Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the wisdom, the courage, and the boldness of these men of faith! Give me the ability to lead those who look to me for leadership. I pray for the leaders of our churches. Help them to be bold and courageous, but also wise as serpents and gentle as doves.

I pray for any person who may read this blog. Give them courage and give them boldness tempered with humility and wisdom.

Daily Bible Reading: Daniel 5,6; Psalms 130; Luke 3

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