Devotionals

Your Personal Lion's Den

Note: This devotional is a re-post from my (NBNiar) devotional book, In His Image. I believe this message is still relevant, as we all face our own lion's den at some point in life, whether in the form of mental illness, addiction, or any other thing that puts us in danger. 

I want you to know that you are not alone in the problems that you may face today and that even Biblical characters faced unfortunate situations that would have caused most of us to question our faith (if we're honest). Though we face figurative lion's dens in life today (at least, I hope no one is actually stuck in a lion's den!), Daniel faced a real one and risked his life for the sake of God and his faith, all over the jealousy of two others. Without further ado, here's the devotional!

I'm sure most of you know the story of Daniel in the lion's den. This particular story came from Daniel 6, perhaps one of the most inspiring stories in the bible. It all began with jealousy: (I'll go through certain sections of this chapter, as it is a bit long)

6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom a hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;
6:2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.
6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.
6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.
6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.
6:6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live forever.

Overall, Daniel, along with two others, were "presidents" (6:2) for King Darius. As Daniel was the first, also being blameless and nearly perfect, the other two presidents plotted against him. Since they could find no blame, they decided to use God against Daniel by convincing King Darius is that he should be the only one to be praised. If anyone opposed the idea or praised any other God or idol, they would be cast into a lion's den.

6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counselors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.
6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.
6:9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Darius was ecstatic about the idea and demanded that it be taken into effect immediately, signing the decree. However, Daniel had other plans:

6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.
6:11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

You see, Daniel went on living his regular life, praying on his knees to his God 3 times a day. The other two presidents, angry and upset because they were not first and needed for Daniel to "be out of the way," decided to use their new law against him, especially after they found him praying to his God.

6:12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.6:13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.
6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him.
6:15 Then these men assembled unto the king, and said unto the king, Know, O king, that the law of the Medes and Persians is, That no decree nor statute which the king establisheth may be changed.

After finding Daniel, the other two presidents brought him to King Darius, who was a bit displeased with Daniel. The two spoke with the king, who was hesitant to allow Daniel to be cast into the lion's den, saying that the law cannot be changed. Agreeing with them, he allowed Daniel to be thrown into the den.

6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.
6:17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.
6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.
6:19 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions.
6:20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?
6:21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever.
6:22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.
6:23 Then was the king exceedingly glad for him and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him because he believed in his God.

Daniel was thrown into the lion's den and was spared by the hand of God! His faith, obedience, and love for God saved him from the mouths of hungry lions.

Darius wasted no time to come the next morning to check on Daniel (again, he was reluctant to throw Daniel into the den to begin with), and was surprised to see him alive. Then, after finding that Daniel's God had spared him, Darius sent after the two presidents and their families and threw them into the lion's den.

6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.
6:25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.
6:26 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and steadfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.
6:27 He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in the earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Afterward, King Darius made a new law, one that honors the God of Daniel: our God. Daniel, from there and so forth, led a prosperous life throughout the reign of Darius and Cyrus.

So, why am I bringing up a story that we all know?

Because we all have our own personal lion's dens.

All of us, old or young, tall or short, have struggles that life throws at us without warning, and we must face them whether we like it or not. Sometimes, we're dragged into situations that we shouldn't be in because they are dangerous. We might be dragged there by someone else, something else, sins of our own, or by ourselves. Then, we're dragged to the king and thrown into our own lion's den. Sometimes, we're blameless as Daniel was. Other times, we're at fault, dragging ourselves into bad situations. (Examples: sin, which we partake in because of free will, will drag us to hell. The worries of this world may drag us into the pits of depression.)

However, God can save us from that den if we let him. Why wallow in our sorrows and allow ourselves to become a lion's dinner when we can ask God to save us? This is salvation: when we acknowledge that we need God's aid because we cannot save ourselves, even if we put ourselves in a bad situation.

When we are saved from our sin and the world surrounds us like hungry lions, Jesus is present, and God will help you through.

Have a little faith! This world may set out to destroy you like a lion, and you may feel as if you are trapped on every side and have no escape, but know this: God today is the same God of Daniel, and he still saves. He will save you! As long as there is breath in your body, there is hope for your soul. 

N.B. Niar