Sometimes we may feel as if we’ve been tossed into the lions’ den. We find ourselves in a place we don’t want to be. During those times, have you ever thought that when we’re in the lions’ den, we’re there because God allowed it for a purpose he wants to accomplish?

That’s how it was with Daniel in the Old Testament. He was smart, attractive, a member of the royal family and nobility of Israel when Babylon conquered it. Daniel was deeply committed to serving God without compromise.

Still, God allowed Daniel to be among those taken as captives from Israel to live in Babylon for seventy years. God had a purpose he wanted to accomplish, which Daniel was not aware of at the time.

Because some of the authorities in Babylon were jealous of Daniel and the favor King Darius showed him, they plotted against Daniel. They knew Daniel was upright and served God, so they realized the only way they could harm Daniel was to have the king make a law against worshiping Daniel’s God.

They tricked King Darius into issuing a decree that said anyone who prayed to any god or man, except the king, during the next thirty days, would be thrown into the lions’ den.

The king’s decree didn’t stop Daniel from praying to God. In fact, Daniel went home, threw open his window for all to hear, and prayed morning, noon, and night.

When Daniel’s jealous accusers reported this to the king, King Darius had no choice but to have his friend thrown into the den of lions. Something worth remembering is that at this point in time, Daniel was in his eighties.

Although Daniel was thrown into the lions’ den, instead of being eaten, God sent his angel into that pit to protect Daniel. The angel shut the lions’ mouths so they could not harm Daniel.

The next morning when King Darius checked on Daniel, he was overjoyed to find his friend still alive. The king had Daniel pulled from the pit, and had his accusers, along with their families, thrown into it.

The Bible tells us before the men even reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Just as God was with Daniel in the lions’ den, he is with us in ours. We face different lions than Daniel faced, but our lions can be just as fierce at times.

We face health lions. Financial lions. Gossipy lions. Lying lions. Loneliness lions. Loss of loved ones lions. Vicious rumor-spreading lions. Jealous lions. And sometimes, if we aren’t careful, we can be the harmful lion in someone else’s life.

Regardless of the lions we face, as God’s children, our lions will never be stronger than our God.

As was true with Daniel, if God allows us to be in a den of lions, there’s a reason. Instead of focusing on the lions’ sharp teeth that can destroy us, let’s turn our eyes upon Jesus. The One who can shut the lions’ mouths and deliver us from any pit we might find ourselves in.

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Daniel answered, “May Your Majesty live forever! God sent his angel to shut the mouths of the lions so that they would not hurt me. He did this because he knew that I was innocent and because I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” Daniel 6:21-22 GNT

You can find my September Inspire a Fire post here. Please stop by and read it.

I wish you well.

Sandy

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