Beech Tree News Network

One of the best-known Bible stories is Daniel in the Lion’s Den (Dan. 6:1-28). It has been a favorite of children for generations, but the story contains some important lessons for grown-ups as well. Daniel had been made a governor; one of three officials set over the administration of the land. But Daniel excelled and the king planned to put him over the whole kingdom, moving Daniel’s rivals to plot against him. They carefully looked into all of Daniels dealings but could not find a single error nor offense.  Then these men said, “We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.”

They agreed to convince the king to make a decree that for 30 days, anyone who prayed to any god other than the king would be cast into a den of lions. King Darius signed this decree into a law which could not be revoked. Although Daniel knew about the law, he did what he had always done. He went to his quarters, opened his window toward Jerusalem and prayed to God. Having trapped faithful Daniel, they hurried to the king, reminding him of his binding decree and reporting Daniel as a violator. Darius was upset. He tried all day to think of a way to protect Daniel, but they were insistent. So, the king commanded Daniel thrown into the lion’s den, then fasted and spent a sleepless night. At dawn he rushed to the lion’s den and was glad that the God whom Daniel trusted in had delivered him. But the men who had maliciously accused Daniel were thrown into the den of lions. 

The Lessons:

1. No accusation could be made! It may be difficult for us to image a high government official who could withstand a full audit by his rivals and emerge blameless. But Daniel did. And, Peter urged Christians to “be diligent to be found by him without spot or blemish, and at peace” (2 Peter 3:14). Are we ready to have our records examined? 

2. Everyone knew of Daniel’s faith! Knowledge of and confidence in Daniel’s faithfulness to God was the key to his opponents’ scheme. Even King Darius, as he reluctantly cast Daniel into the lion’s den declared, “May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!” Do our friends and neighbors know about our faith?

3. The great faith of an unbeliever! Daniel’s faith led a pagan king to praise God. “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.” What influence are we having on unbelievers?

4. Deliverance comes by faith! “Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.” God will deliver the faithful. God may not choose to deliver us from every physical danger, but He has made provision to deliver us from eternal danger if we “wait for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead, Jesus who delivers us from the wrath to come” (1 Thess. 1:10).

He is the living God. He delivers and rescues. Let’s learn the lessons from the lion’s den.