Daniel Saved From The Lions
May 28, 2019
Commentary
Darius, after a sleepless night, hastened to the lions’ den (v. 18). He evidently hoped for the best but feared the worst (vv. 19-21). When the king cried out to Daniel to see if he was still there, Daniel replied that God’s angel had kept the lions’ mouth shut (v. 22). Discovering that Daniel was still alive, Darius was overjoyed and had him lifted from the den (v. 23).
After Daniel was delivered, the king’s first action was to punish the princes and presidents whose wicked plotting was responsible for the attempt on Daniel’s life (v. 24). According to Persian custom, they with their families were punished. He ordered that they be thrown into the very den where Daniel had been and they themselves suffered the terrible doom that they had so cruelly planned for him. The same lions who Daniel had spent the night with, tore these villains to shreds even before their bodies came to rest on the floor of the den. Evil deeds often backfire on those who plan cruelty.
Nebuchadnezzar had come to believe that Israel’s God was real because of the faithfulness of Daniel and his friends. The king now made a proclamation that all people of his nation must fear and reverence Daniel’s God (vv. 25-27). Because of his faithfulness Daniel was exalted to a place of honor (v. 28). Although he was quite old at the time of the lions’ den experience, he had still further years of usefulness during the reign of Cyrus and Darius. Be faithful to God so He can use you to make an impact on others.
All of this shows how a man of God in the will of God is immortal until his work on earth is finished. Also this should be a challenge to every servant of God never to be afraid of the circumstances which may threaten him, but to believe that God is equal to every emergency.
Application
Have I ever been guilty of worrying or fretting over circumstances in my life in which I had no control? I’m sure I have! I just need to remember that the same God who delivered Daniel is able to deliver me from any circumstance of life.
Daniel 6:18– 28 (NET)
18 Then the king departed to his palace. But he spent the night without eating, and no diversions were brought to him. He was unable to sleep.
19 In the morning, at the earliest sign of daylight, the king got up and rushed to the lions’ den. 20 As he approached the den, he called out to Daniel in a worried voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God whom you continually serve able to rescue you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not harmed me, because I was found to be innocent before him. Nor have I done any harm to you, O king.”
23 Then the king was delighted and gave an order to haul Daniel up from the den. So Daniel was hauled up out of the den. He had no injury of any kind, because he had trusted in his God. 24 The king gave another order, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den—they, their children, and their wives. They did not even reach the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and language groups who were living in all the land: “Peace and prosperity! 26 I have issued an edict that throughout all the dominion of my kingdom people are to revere and fear the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God; he endures forever. His kingdom will not be destroyed; his authority is forever.
27 He rescues and delivers and performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions!”
28 So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Illustration: Chambers Faith is Whether I am Delivered or Not
Faith for my deliverance is not faith in God. Faith means, whether I am visibly delivered or not, I will stick to my belief that God is love. There are some things only learned in a fiery furnace. (Oswald Chambers in Run Today’s Race).