Tag: lion’s den
In the Lion’s Den
Scripture reading for September 2nd: Daniel 4-6
Have you ever faced a pack of hungry lions? How would you feel about being thrown to the lions for praying three times a day? I admit that setting out to pray can bring on the lions who try to deter your focus, but Daniel had to actually endure a night in a den of hungry lions for simply praying to his God!
Daniel was a man of good character. He was one of three government administrators who King Darius the Mede chose to watch over the affairs of conquered Babylon. Daniel was known for his honesty and diligence. He was so respected and favored, that Darius was planning to appoint him over all the others in the kingdom. (Daniel 6:1-5)
Because the other administrators were jealous, they plotted to bring charges against Daniel to remove him from power. They proposed a decree to the King to have thirty days where it would be a crime to pray or worship any other god but the King. The penalty was being thrown into the lion’s den. King Darius signed the order without thinking, and it was irrevocable.
Daniel knew about the decree, but went about his usual prayer business. Three times a day he opened his upstairs windows and prayed towards Jerusalem. The advisers knew of his practice and caught him praying. They told the king, who was greatly distressed when he realized what he had done! (Daniel 6:10-15) He brought Daniel in and gave the order to have him thrown into the Lion’s den. His final words were, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (Daniel 6:16)
We all know how this story ended. God did protect Daniel from the hungry lions and he was safely removed from the den the next morning. Those who accused him were thrown in and devoured! God was honored by King Darius and a decree was made to honor Daniel’s God throughout the kingdom! (Daniel 6:24-27)
The lesson for us is that it truly pays to live a godly life in a wicked land. God uses our faithfulness and prayer to influence those around us. He wants us to be faithful, even if it may take us to the lion’s den. God promises to use our lives to bring glory to His name as we are faithful to Him! Would you be convicted by the world for your faithfulness to pray?
Sunday rest and reflection: prayer!
Dear friends,
Greetings again this first day of a new week! Hopefully, you are spending it gathering with God’s people to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first day of the week. He began a new day, called ‘today’, a day of salvation and good news for all mankind! He is alive and we have the hope of eternal life in Him alone! There is no other name given under heaven among men by which we must be saved! (Acts 4:12)
As I reflect back on this week’s readings, I am quickly brought back to the prophet Daniel. His life of dedication and prayer lived out in the country of Babylon in the midst of pagan culture is amazing! His world was radically changed with the captivity and move to a strange culture. He kept his spiritual bearings by praying three times a day. This habit got him into trouble later in his life. He was probably nearly 90 years old when this habit caused him to be thrown into the lion’s den during the reign of the Persian king Darius. His faithfulness to pray stopped the mouths of hungry lions. (Daniel 6:19-22) He got to share with this king about His God and brought Him honor! (Daniel 6:26-27)
Another time, Daniel was reading the Book of Jeremiah where he saw that the captivity would last 70 years and realized that it was almost over. He began to seek the Lord by fasting and prayer, confessing again the sins of the nation that took them into captivity. (Daniel 9:4-19) This beautiful prayer of repentance brought a swift answer from God by means of Gabriel, the Archangel! The amazing answer was the word concerning the “Seventy ‘seven’s” which tells the number of years until the Messiah would come. Prayer is an awesome privilege and God loves to share with His servants.
God’s House is to be a “house of prayer” for all nations! (Mark 11:17) We gather to worship and to pray for His kingdom and will to be done. There is power when God’s people gather together and agree together. Don’t miss out on gathering today and take time to pray! Read the Word of God and pray for it’s completion in you and your family! God hears and will answer! What a privilege we have!
Have a great week in Jesus! In His Love, Pastor John