Daniel & The Lion’s Den
Daniel 6
Daniel and King Darius had a strong relationship. Daniel was one of three leaders under the King’s reign but was the highest among them due to his spirit; he was blameless and good (V4). The only holes they could try to poke through Daniel’s character were through his connection to God. The King wanted to deliver him from the lion's den but couldn’t.
As we read through the story, even though it wasn’t King Darius who delivered him from the lion’s den, God used that moment for His glory. Only God could have kept the lion’s mouth shut and delivered Daniel from them. Sometimes it’s easy to question God why he allows certain things to happen, especially when it's hard or hurtful. It’s not because God is cruel or unjust or lacks control. It all points and leads to further glory to come. In this case, God didn’t save Daniel from going into the lion’s den but delivered him from death at that moment.
What further glory do we get to see? The King gives praise to God and says this very popular set of verses:
Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
Daniel 6:25-27
So may not see God working now in your unfortunate circumstances, or maybe you are still waiting for His glory to be revealed, but this passage should give hope that you walk alongside a God who fulfills his promises and sets all things for His goodness and glory. Daniel’s faith and trust in God rooted him in the belief that it is better to die and live obediently than to live a long, disobedient life.
Pray and ask God to move in your circumstances, not to improve your life, but to bring glory to His name.
