November 29

November 29

But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God.....So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, "May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you." A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn't sleep at all that night. Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions' den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, "Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?" Daniel answered, "Long live the king! My God sent his angel to shut the lions' mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty." The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God. Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions' den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den. (Daniel 6:10, 16-24 NLT)

This is one of those stories that we want to cling to. It's hard not to. After all, Daniel has already proven himself to be a man that God holds in high honor. He has been given power by God to interpret visions. But now a little jealousy is creeping in from his peers. Some scheming and dividing of an evil plan ensue, and Daniel, and King Darius, are caught in this trap. Darius loved Daniel, and trusted him wholeheartedly, but the laws of the Medes and the Persians could not be revoked. (We saw this same situation when we read Esther) So the king had no choice but to sentence his friend Daniel to the den. This is where we see God take over the situation, just as He did when his servants Shadrach, Meshach and Abednigo we sentenced by Nebuchadnezzar to die in the furnace. God showed off His power. And, just as in the previous story, the King praised the God of Daniel. It all comes back to prayer and obedience. Daniel did not give up prayer, even when it was illegal to pray. He stood tall to show that God is sovereign.
Do we see any impossible situations that can only be righted by God showing up? I can think of a few right now. We need to be a people of prayer.

Are there any times in your life that God showed up big when you gave the situation to Him in prayer? Please share in the comment section below.

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