Daniel 6:22 “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
Do you recall the first time you heard the story of Daniel in the lion’s den? You know it is one thing to hear it for the 50th time, knowing the outcome, but try to recall hearing it for the first time, not knowing the outcome. Here is this goldy old man being thrown into a lion’s den to be eaten by the lions, all because he prayed. I can hear my Sunday School teacher saying Daniel was sentenced to die a gruesome death by ferocious lions. She even showed a picture of those lions. And as only a Sunday School teacher of 6-year-old boys can do, she said those mean men threw Daniel to the lions. As far as I was concerned, this was a horrible story and a horrible ending for Daniel.
But then she showed us a picture of Daniel standing in the lion’s den at morning light with his back to the lions, and he had not been touched! She told us GOD shut the mouths of those lions, and not one hair on Daniel’s head was harmed. While it was a long time ago, but I do think we cheered. I know I was relieved to hear Daniel was not eaten by those ferocious lions!
As we look at verse to DATE, it tells of Daniel’s answer to the king who had sentenced him to die as to whether Daniel’s God had saved him. I have always found it interesting that the king believed that Daniel would survive being thrown to the lions, believing it so much he came to the lion’s den and asked. (“As the king came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish, crying out, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” To this question comes our verse. The short answer is, “You better believe HE did!” (My paraphrase)
Daniel’s answer to the king shows how Daniel’s terrible trial was turned into a testimony of triumph.
Pause to think about your trials. Most likely, you are asking why something bad and/or hard is happening to you. You are probably saying you would rather not face what you are facing. I think Daniel would rather not have had to face the lions. Yet in doing so, we get one of the greatest testimonies of God’s amazing protection. Because of what God did for Daniel, the king heard Daniel’s testimony of God’s amazing work and protection!!
Friend, you may not be treated right for doing right, as the world is bound to hate you. With their persecution comes God’s presence and protection! Their attacks provide opportunities for you to stand firm for your faith as well as share your faith. Their wickedness provides you with an opportunity to witness.
Remember that God is in the business of turning trials into triumphal testimonies!
Continue Strong, knowing God turns your trials into triumphal testimonies,
And remember to DATE the Word