God is Faithful

As parents we are constantly telling our kids “Do the right thing” “Don’t give into peer pressure” along with many other things. We tell them that if they do the right things they will be rewarded and blessed. Peer pressure is a very real thing for children, but also for adults as well. So many times we tell our kids what to do and what not to do yet we do not follow our own advice. As adults and parents we need to also as the saying goes “Practice what we preach”.

The story of Daniel in the lions’ den is found in Daniel 6. This story goes along with not giving into pressure. To do what is right even if it means you’re the only one doing it.

“Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, in as much as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. Then these men said “We shall not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his god.”

Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king, and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever! All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the King should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O King, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. Now, O King, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.”

Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he has windows opened toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously.

Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Then they approached and spoke before the King about the Kings injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days is to be cast into the lions’ den?”

The king answered and said, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians which may not be revoked.” Then they answered and spoke before the King. “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O King, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.”

Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him.

Then these men came by agreement to the King and said to the King, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the King establishes may be changed.” Then the King gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den.

The King spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” And a stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel. Then the King went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. Then the King arose with the dawn, at the break of day and went in haste to the lions’ den.

And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The King spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel spoke to the King, O King, live-forever! My God has sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouth, and they have not harmed me, in as much as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O King, I have committed no crime.”

Then the King was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted his God.”

So many times this story is just viewed that Daniel was saved from the lions that day and nothing else.

Daniel was under “pressure” to not go against the statute but he chose God. He chose to fall to his knees with his windows open knowing he would be heard and seen. He didn’t give in even though it could have cost him his life.

He stood for what was right and he was blessed and his life was spared. He was face to face with the enemy that day. He had no way of escaping – but God showed up and shut the enemies mouth for Daniel.

1 Peter 5:8 “Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. You adversary, the devil, prowls about like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”

Our enemy wants to devour us every day but our God is faithful and delivers us. When we live our lives faithfully to the Lord He is faithful to us in every situation.

2 Thessalonians 3:3 “But the Lord is faithful, and He will strengthen and protect you from the evil one.”

No matter what the “lion” may come disguised as it doesn’t matter for us as Christians. Many “lions” come as financial problems, health issues, family stresses etc… Our God though through the story of Daniel is showing us that it is He who shuts the lion’s mouth every time for us.

1 John 4:5 says this: “You are from God, little children, and have overcome them; because greater is He who is in you than he who is in the world.”

So no matter how close the enemy seems to be – even face to face know that God will shut the lion’s mouth for you. He actually already shut its mouth when He redeemed us – let’s not forget that also.