DEALING WITH LIONS!
Daniel 6:10-25
INTRODUCTION:
If you would, turn with me to Daniel 6. This is probably the most well known chapter (and story in Daniel). This chapter deals with a very real challenges of life.
MESSAGE:
Let’s begin by reading in verse 11. Here it says:
Daniel 6:11-13
11 Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. 12 So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” The king answered, “The decree stands—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 13 Then they said to the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, Your Majesty, or to the decree you put in writing. He still prays three times a day.”
Well, let’s address the LIONS DEN in this story. And here’s what I want to point out. In life…
1. SOMETIMES LIONS SHOW UP IN OUR STORY!
Satan is certainly no friend of God’s faithful. The Bible calls Satan, our adversary, a prowling, devouring lion.
Look at the following verse:
1 Peter 5:8–9
8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. 9 Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.
Satan wants to destroy God’s work. Satan wants to destroy God’s people. Oftentimes, to accomplish his evil plans, Satan employs people into his service and uses them as tools to construct his evil schemes.
And sometimes he uses others to roar — and stand aggressively against those who trust in God.
In Daniel’s case — it was the scheming of evil men that challenged his life and well being. They may have been the real LIONS in this story.
Out of jealousy and selfish interest, they set up this trap for Daniel.
These wicked men appear to be more aggressive than the actual LIONS which well discover in the next part of this story.
As Daniel prayed to God — they preyed upon Him.
Knowing that he would DO AS HE HAD ALWAYS DONE — and would get on his knees in prayer and worship to God, they just waited. And the moment he displayed His faith in God, was the moment they ran as fast as they could to the King to get him in trouble.
Have you ever faced anyone like that?
It doesn’t matter what you do, they’ll find a way to twist it and use it against you?
- For Daniel, they worked hard to define him as a rebel against the king and His kingdom.
They did everything in their power to manipulate the power of the King. But notice how he responded. Verse 14 says:
Daniel 6:14
14 When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.
Three descriptions of the King’s effort.
And these remind me that:
2. SOMETIMES WHAT LOOKS LIKE A LION ISN’T!
If you were living in Daniel’s day, you would have certainly assumed that this King would have acted quickly and ruthlessly to stop any threat or rebellion.
It would have been natural to assume that he would have sided with his many officials in this matter. But sometimes, what looks like a LION isn’t.
Sometimes, those outside of the family of God are gracious and supportive and kind to those who serve God.
So, don’t jump to conclusions — or assume that all unbelievers are against you.
Maybe it’s important to remember that THEY are our mission (not our enemies).
And in fact, sometimes it’s the kindness of an unbeliever that God uses the most.
Sometimes those far from God are hungry for Him. They long for truth. They desire goodness…and they’ve just NOT YET come to trust in Him. Sometimes, the lost are incredibly tender to the things of God.
And that seems to be the case with Darius. Although he wasn’t serving God — he wasn’t hostile to Him or his people. But, those in his court sure were.
Darius was not upset because Daniel had been praying, but because he realized the real purpose of the law the other officials had him to sign. It was not to honor Darius, but to eliminate Daniel, a rival of the jealous officials.
The true purpose of the law was to trap Daniel, whom the king respected. This added to the king’s distress. Darius understood that he had been duped by these evil men. He was probably not only angry at himself for being deceived, but he was angry at these deceivers.
Verse 15 goes on to tell us:
15 Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, “Remember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.”
While this situation grieved Darius — it inflamed his cabinet.
These bloodthirsty men really put Darius in a tough spot too. Knowing that if he changed his mind and revoked the law he had made, it would hinder his own credibility with people.
So, Darius had to step back in order to save face. And, despite Darius’ efforts to deliver Daniel, he would still face the den of lions.
3. SOMETIMES THE ONLY CHOICE WE HAVE IS TO STAND IN FAITH.
Let’s read on. Verse 16:
16 So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” 17 A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. 18 Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.
History tells us the Persians used mutilation by lions as one of several brutal forms of execution. While this hadn’t been the practice of the Babylonians, it was on the new kingdom. And it was really a pretty harsh way to those who violate the principles of the kingdom.
And so, Daniel was put in the den — and not expected to survive.
But…
Notice the impact of Daniel upon the King. (A Potential for purpose) Humanly speaking, this was a done deal. But, it seems like Darius may have had some expectation that Daniel’s God was real! Because, his last words to him were:
“May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!”
Don’t miss that! This points to the best part of living in exile — and that is, our INFLUENCE!
Darius recognized Daniel’s faithfulness. And that made a lasting impact on the king. And while he wasn’t a believer yet — he was beginning to move towards God because of Daniel.
Never overlook the potential of your influence and impact upon the lives of others. Especially when times are hard and the pressure is on.
People are watching. So, decide now — HOW WILL YOU LIVE?
4. SOMETIMES FACING LIONS REVEAL OUR FAITH TO OTHERS!
Look again at Daniel 6:19-23. We are told:
19 At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. 20 When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” 21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” 23 The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.
At dawn, the king rushed to the lions’ den and then cried out to Daniel in anguish. He obviously cared very much for Daniel.
His “anguished” voice indicated that he was not sure that Daniel was alive, but he must have had some hope of expectation that Daniel’s God would save him.
Don’t underestimate the power of RESOLVE and faithful living!
Even when it’s not easy — it’s good.
What kind of example are you setting before others?
Like last week — I want us to think about this. Do our lives point people to Jesus or away from Him?
Is there enough evidence by the way we are living to cause people to stop and consider what we profess?
Well…like all of the other chapters we’ve looked at in Daniel, this chapter also reminds us about God’s faithfulness and power. So, more than a story about Daniel — it’s a story about God. He’s the real hero here!
Daniel trusted in God and God found blameless!
The reason for Daniel’s miraculous deliverance is that he trusted in God.
When we face the roaring lions of this world — or the roaring lion Himself, the best response is to simply trust God.
5. SOMETIMES OUR CONFLICT POINTS OTHERS TO THE LION WE SERVE!
The lion we serve — the Lion of Judah!
As this story ends, Daniel is saved — but the evil schemers were not! Knowing their evil actions, Darius ended their lives. Look again at verse 24. It says:
Daniel 6:24 24 At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.
This demonstrates the miraculous character of Daniel’s deliverance. These lions would have certainly killed Daniel had God not sovereignly intervened.
Continuing on…in verse 25, we read:
25 Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: “May you prosper greatly! 26 “I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.
“For he is the living God
and he endures forever;
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
his dominion will never end.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Conclusion
Alright, just to wrap up — Daniel was saved because of the goodness and grace of God…not because of Daniel’s goodness.
But make no mistake about it — it is important how we live. May we again live RESOLVED! May we trust in God and stand upon our convictions.
And may God reveal His faithfulness to us in those hard moments.
May we be found faithful in serving God and sharing Jesus with the world.
Closing Prayer