Daniel survives in a den with lions
In the 6th century BC, a man was forced into a den full of lions for one night. He spent the night sitting amongst the lions and emerged the next morning unharmed, because the lions were deprived of their power to destroy.
Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 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,… Daniel 6:19-22
The events leading to the lion’s den
In the 6th century BC, Babylon had a new King known as Darius. Daniel prospered in the service of this new king of Babylon. He was doing administrative work and he showed himself to be excellent in his ability to carry out the work. As a result, King Darius promoted Daniel and gave him the highest position in the kingdom.
Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Daniel 6:3
Some people in this high position could have used it to their advantage and abused the position. But Daniel refused to play any part in political intrigue or licentiousness.
Unfortunately, Daniel had enemies who were jealous of him. They plotted to remove him from his position of power but could not find any weakness in his character. The only way they could find to remove him was in relation to the law of his God. So they schemed together and caused Darius to issue an irrevocable degree. The degree stated that if anyone made petitions to any other than the king that they should be cast into the den of lions.
Daniel became aware of this decree from Darius but he continued his daily practice of praying to God. He always did it openly and certainly did not try to hide it.
When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. Daniel 6:10
Men and women of God cannot live their lives without prayer. It is absolutely essential to a life devoted to God. God’s servants all knew this:
But I call to God, and the Lord will save me. Evening and morning and at noon I utter my complaint and moan, and he hears my voice. Psalm 55:16-17
Rejoice in hope, be patient in tribulation, be constant in prayer. Romans 12:12
pray without ceasing, 1 Thess. 5:17
Jesus also taught it to the people:
And he told them a parable to the effect that they ought always to pray and not lose heart. Luke 18:1
A night with the lions
So Daniel continued to pray despite the decree from the king. His faith in his God was so strong that the king’s edict was of no concern. However, his enemies saw that he was praying to his God and reported the matter to the king.
Darius the king had a great affection for Daniel and sought to save him from the lion’s den. However, the king’s efforts were not enough to keep Daniel from the lions as the nobles insisted that he be cast into the den. It is clear that King Darius had faith in Daniel’s God as he said:
“May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” Daniel 6:16
So Daniel spent the night in the den with the lions. During that night, the king fasted and early the next morning he rushed down to the den. He had his doubts whether God had saved Daniel from being attacked by the lions. He feared the worst and hoped for the best.
When Darius came to the den he realised Daniel was alive and as a result he rejoiced. He then set about restoring Daniel to his position of power. The men who had conspired to bring about Dniel’s downfall were thrown into the den.
The power of faith
Daniel’s faith had an influence on Darius. Due to the actions of Daniel, God was glorified and His power was made known to the people, who up to that time, did not believe in his God.
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.” So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian. Daniel 6: 25-28
How do we know if a person has faith? Faith must so influence a person’s life that he (she) has a complete conviction that God’s and His book the Bible are true. Daniel was fully convinced that he must be fully obedient to God’s ways no matter what the immediate result will be. He thought this way because he had no doubt that his righteousness would finally be justified.
The apostle Paul writes about faith in his letter to the Hebrews at chapter 11 and verse 1:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen.
God will not accept anything less than this.
How do we develop such faith? It comes from hearing (and reading) the word of God.
So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God. Romans 10:17
This is exactly what Daniel did.
in the first year of his reign I, Daniel, understood by the books the number of the years specified by the word of the Lord through Jeremiah the prophet, that He would accomplish seventy years in the desolations of Jerusalem. Daniel 9:2
Then he said to me, “Do not fear, Daniel, for from the first day that you set your heart to understand, and to humble yourself before your God, your words were heard; and I have come because of your words. Daniel 10:12
We can see from these verses that Daniel sought to understand God’s word and to humble himself before Him. As a result he was given understanding which strengthened his faith. This lead to the lions not attacking him during the night he was in the den. Paul mentions this episode of stopping the mouth of lions in Hebrews 11:32 to 33 (Daniel is included in the group known as the “prophets”).
And what more shall I say? For time would fail me to tell of Gideon, Barak, Samson, Jephthah, of David and Samuel and the prophets— who through faith conquered kingdoms, enforced justice, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,
Conclusion
It would have required courage for Daniel to obey his God in a foreign land. Even when he tested to the extreme (the lion’s den) he remained faithful. This is even more astounding when you consider that the influence of Babylon’s customs would be great. Yet Daniel showed his obedience to God by remaining separate from the ways of the Babylonians.
His faith could be seen in his actions. Through his faith he stopped the mouths of lions and as a result obtained a good report. Paul says this will happen in Hebrews chapter 11 and verses 1 to 2:
Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen. For by it the people of old received their commendation.
Daniel impressed the king with his faith. It was clear from his attitude that he believed in his God and would be obedient to Him. He showed this consistency of faith in his day by day life. For example, praying to God each day. Daniel rose to a high administrative position and yet he was still consistent. The reason for this was that in all his duties he was serving and obeying God. He was humble when lift up to a higher position and demonstrated self-control when he had every opportunity to indulge himself.
People of faith who live today, need to keep themselves apart from the defilements of this modern age. They would do well to focus on steadfastly showing their faith and convictions through their faith
