July 16, 2015 – Daniel 6:16-17

Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel.  Daniel 6:16-17Daniel and the Lions’ Den.  The wise men wanted to trap Daniel and get rid of him.  They had the king sign a law than anyone who prays to another God, is to be placed in the lions’ den.  This was a sure death.Daniel knew about the trap and prayed to the Lord God anyway.  He was caught and placed in the lions’ den.  A dark cave with large, smelly lions who were so hungry and waited for food.  They growled louder than a thunderstorm.  They prowled and growled in their dark den.  A big stone closed the entrance.  They walked around Daniel.  They stayed quiet.The lions did not bite Daniel.  They did not bother him at all.  They were hungry, but did not touch Daniel.  Why?  Because Daniel chose God above all.  God sent an angel and shut the lions’ mouths all night.The king did not sleep.  When the sun came up, he went to the lions’ den.  All was quiet.  He ordered that the lions’ den be opened.  Daniel came out and there he was…not a bite on him.  The king was so thankful, he changed his mind about God.  Because Daniel trusted God, the king trusted God.Daniel made a difference because he trusted God.  We, too, can make a difference when we trust God and choose Him.Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.”  The the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den.  So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.  Daniel 6:21-23