April 18, 2017 – Daniel 6:19-22
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. 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. Daniel 6:17-18.
What brought Daniel to be imprisoned in a den of lions? What terrible thing did he do? Why did the king lie sleepless the night he imprisoned Daniel?
Let’s look at the King first. He followed someone’s advice to condemn people to die for not worshiping him. Daniel simply prayed to God the Father. Daniel was faithful to God, because God continued to be faithful to Daniel. Daniel prayed in peace all night in the presence of the lions. The King Darius was tormented by what he might find when he had the stone removed in the morning.
Is that the end of the story? No! When King Darius found Daniel still alive in the lion’s den, he sent out another call – all people are to to fear Daniel’s God.
“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. “For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end.” Daniel 6:26.
Because Daniel believed in God even in danger of losing his life, a whole country turned to our Lord our Father. The question for us is, do we believe and have faith more than we have fear? I John 4:18a – Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear.
Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 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?” Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 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.” Daniel 6:19-22