One of the stories we all grew up hearing is that of Daniel in the Lion’s Den. Daniel was sentenced to the den of lions for praying to God. There was a law in the land that for thirty days only requests can be made of the King and not from any other God. When Daniels’s enemies found out that he was praying to God they went and told the king who reluctantly had to sentence Daniel to the lion’s den for breaking the law.
The king gave orders for Daniel to be thrown into a pit filled with lions. The king because He liked Daniel told him, “May your God, whom you serve so loyally, rescue you. At dawn, the king got up and hurried to the pit. He called out “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was the God you serve so loyally able to save you from the lions?” 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.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders for Daniel to be pulled up out of the pit. The King also signed a decree saying that everyone In the kingdom must fear any may reverence the God of Daniel.
What we see here is an example of what happens when we face the lions in our life by trusting in God. Daniel found out that not only did God shut the mouth of the lions to save him, but God used this situation to reveal his glory to everyone who witnessed this event. What should have ended up killing Daniel instead brought glory to our almighty God. Everyone in the Kingdom including the king had no choice but to praise the God of Daniel.
What lions are you facing in your life today that are hindering your relationship with God? Do you feel like you are in the lion’s den like Daniel? Your lions could be anything to you. It could be your health, your marriage, your finances, your kids, your relationships. Any situation in your life that keeps you from worshipping God is your lion. Daniel got in trouble for worshipping God and the lion’s pit was meant to deter him from doing exactly that. Instead, He came out alive and everyone around him also started praising the God of Daniel.
The story of Daniel is a reminder that God is still in control and has the power to shut down any lions you face in your life. God will never put you in any situation without providing a way out. When you are faced with your lions then God wants you to trust in him completely. Isaiah 41:10 says “Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.”
If you trust in God without fearing the situation and keep praying to him then the God that saved Daniel’s life will save you also. God has allowed these lions into your life so that He can get the glory. When you come out of the pit knowing that it was God who shut the mouth of the lions then everyone around you will start to notice. God always uses the difficult situations in your life to show everyone that He is in control and that He is God.
If you trust in God like Daniel did then not only will these lions go away but God will also get the glory. Those who know you will also get to know God through you. Isn’t that amazing? So when you face your lions keep praising God. Who knows someone around you might start praising him also.