{"id":1007,"date":"2024-06-27T19:22:58","date_gmt":"2024-06-27T19:22:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/?page_id=1007"},"modified":"2024-06-27T19:28:58","modified_gmt":"2024-06-27T19:28:58","slug":"dealing-with-lions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/dealing-with-lions\/","title":{"rendered":"DEALING WITH LIONS!"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>DEALING WITH LIONS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Daniel\u00a06:10-25<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>INTRODUCTION:&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">If you would, turn with me to <strong>Daniel<\/strong> <strong>6. <\/strong>This is probably the most well known chapter (and story in <strong>Daniel<\/strong>). This chapter deals with a very real challenges of life. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>MESSAGE:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Let\u2019s begin by reading in verse 11. Here it says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Daniel 6:11-13&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-fe3a732f789a591a3a494bfb4330f069 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>11\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. <\/em><strong><em>12\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: \u201cDid 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\u2019 den?\u201d<\/em> <em>The king answered, \u201cThe decree stands\u2014in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.\u201d<\/em> <strong><em>13\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>Then they said to the king, \u201cDaniel, 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.\u201d \u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Well, let\u2019s address the <strong>LIONS<\/strong> <strong>DEN<\/strong> in this story. And here\u2019s what I want to point out. In life\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-ef4799c77684721335faf36faf5acdfe wp-block-paragraph\">1. <strong>SOMETIMES LIONS SHOW UP IN OUR STORY!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Satan<\/strong> is certainly no friend of <strong>God\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>faithful<\/strong>. The Bible calls <strong>Satan<\/strong>, our <strong>adversary<\/strong>, a <strong>prowling<\/strong>, <strong>devouring<\/strong> <strong>lion<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look at the following verse:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>1 Peter 5:8\u20139<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7d90880006d503dcab8094a35b69b82b wp-block-paragraph\"><em>8 Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. <sup>9<\/sup> Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Satan wants to destroy God\u2019s work. Satan wants to destroy God\u2019s people. Oftentimes, to accomplish his evil plans, Satan employs people into his service and uses them as tools to construct his evil schemes.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And sometimes he uses others to roar \u2014 and <strong>stand <\/strong>aggressively against those who trust in God.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">In <strong>Daniel\u2019s cas<\/strong>e \u2014 it was the <strong>scheming<\/strong> <strong>of evil men<\/strong> that challenged his life and well being. They may have been the <strong>real LIONS<\/strong> in this story.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Out of jealousy and selfish interest, they set up this trap for Daniel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">These<strong> wicked men<\/strong> appear to be more aggressive than the actual <strong>LIONS <\/strong>which well discover in the next part of this story.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As <strong>Daniel prayed to God \u2014 they preyed upon Him.<\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Knowing that he would DO AS HE HAD ALWAYS DONE \u2014 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 <strong>King<\/strong> to get him in trouble.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Have you ever faced anyone like that?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">It doesn\u2019t matter what you do, they\u2019ll find a way to twist it and use it against you?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For Daniel, they worked hard to define him as a <strong>rebel<\/strong> <strong>against<\/strong> <strong>the<\/strong> <strong>king<\/strong> and <strong>His<\/strong> <strong>kingdom<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">They did everything in their power to manipulate the power of the King. But notice how he responded. <strong>Verse 14<\/strong> says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Daniel 6:14<\/em><\/strong><strong><em> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1b3494d79171c756ce189848093f4ea8 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>14\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>When the king heard this, <\/em><em>he was greatly distressed<\/em><em>; he was <\/em><em>determined to rescue Daniel<\/em><em> and <\/em><em>made every effort until sundown to save him<\/em><em>.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Three descriptions of the King\u2019s effort.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And these remind me that:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-7b2c0e2da6c7a5a8b6a027f056cc4495 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>2. SOMETIMES WHAT LOOKS LIKE A LION ISN\u2019T!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>If you were living in Daniel\u2019s day, you would have certainly assumed that this King would have acted quickly and ruthlessly to stop any threat or rebellion.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>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\u2019t.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Sometimes, those outside of the family of God are gracious and supportive and kind to those who serve God.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>So, don\u2019t jump to conclusions \u2014 or assume that all unbelievers are against you.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Maybe it\u2019s important to remember that <\/strong><strong>THEY are our mission (not our enemies).<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And in fact, sometimes it\u2019s the kindness of an unbeliever that God uses the most.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Sometimes those far from <strong>God<\/strong> are hungry for Him. They long for truth. They desire goodness\u2026and they\u2019ve just <strong>NOT YET<\/strong> come to trust in <strong>Him<\/strong>. Sometimes, the lost are incredibly tender to the things of God.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And that seems to be the case with <strong>Darius<\/strong>.\u00a0 Although he wasn\u2019t serving God \u2014 <strong>he wasn\u2019t hostile to Him<\/strong> or his people.\u00a0 But, those in his court sure were. \u00a0<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Darius<\/strong> was not upset because <strong>Daniel<\/strong> 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 <strong>Darius<\/strong>, but to eliminate <strong>Daniel<\/strong>, a rival of the jealous officials.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The true purpose of the law was to trap <strong>Daniel<\/strong>, whom the king respected. This added to the king\u2019s distress. <strong>Darius<\/strong> 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Verse 15 <\/strong>goes on to tell us:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-7147d835ff7e088becb79531c633ca91 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>15\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>Then the men went as a group to King Darius and said to him, \u201cRemember, Your Majesty, that according to the law of the Medes and Persians no decree or edict that the king issues can be changed.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">While this situation grieved <strong>Darius<\/strong> \u2014 it inflamed his cabinet.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">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. &nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">So, <strong>Darius<\/strong> had to step back in order to save face. And, despite <strong>Darius<\/strong>\u2019 efforts to deliver <strong>Daniel<\/strong>, he would still face the <strong>den of lions.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-58e046a3f3ea73222c3cbd79913e15ae wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>3. SOMETIMES THE ONLY CHOICE WE HAVE IS TO STAND IN FAITH.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Let\u2019s read on. Verse 16:<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-a75303d43bbf704cb6ffc58209a0513c wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>16\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions\u2019 den. The king said to Daniel, \u201cMay your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!\u201d<\/em> <strong><em>17\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>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\u2019s situation might not be changed. <\/em><strong><em>18\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">History tells us the <strong>Persians<\/strong> used mutilation by lions as one of several brutal forms of execution. While this hadn\u2019t 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.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And so, <strong>Daniel<\/strong> was put in the den \u2014 and not expected to survive.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But\u2026<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Notice the impact of Daniel upon the King. (<\/strong><strong>A Potential for purpose<\/strong><strong>)<\/strong> Humanly speaking, this was a done deal. But, it seems like <strong>Darius<\/strong> may have had some expectation that <strong>Daniel\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>God<\/strong> was real! Because, his last words to him were:&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cMay your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Don\u2019t miss that! <\/strong>This points to the best part of living in exile \u2014 and that is, our<strong> INFLUENCE! <\/strong>&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Darius<\/strong> recognized <strong>Daniel\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>faithfulness<\/strong>. And that made a lasting impact on the king. And while he wasn\u2019t a believer yet \u2014 he was beginning to move towards <strong>God<\/strong> because of <strong>Daniel<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Never overlook the potential of your influence and impact upon the lives of others. Especially when times are hard and the pressure is on.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">People are watching. So, decide now \u2014 <strong>HOW WILL YOU LIVE?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-f3fa6143f524d25b4ff341b327917d8a wp-block-paragraph\">4. <strong>SOMETIMES FACING LIONS REVEAL OUR FAITH TO OTHERS!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Look again at <strong><em>Daniel 6:19-23<\/em><\/strong>. We are told:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-1a07f1e671eb5cc911a406baec294b13 wp-block-paragraph\"><em>19<\/em> <em>At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions\u2019 den. <\/em><strong><em>20\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, \u201cDaniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?\u201d<\/em> <strong><em>21\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>Daniel answered, \u201cMay the king live forever! <\/em><strong><em>22\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>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.\u201d<\/em> <strong><em>23\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>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.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">At dawn, the king rushed to the <strong>lions<\/strong>\u2019 <strong>den<\/strong> and then cried out to <strong>Daniel<\/strong> in anguish. He obviously cared very much for <strong>Daniel<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">His \u201c<strong>anguished<\/strong>\u201d voice indicated that he was not sure that <strong>Daniel<\/strong> was alive, but he must have had some hope of expectation that <strong>Daniel\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>God<\/strong> would save him.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Don\u2019t underestimate the power of RESOLVE and faithful living!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Even when it\u2019s not easy \u2014 it\u2019s good.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>What kind of example are you setting before others?&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Like last week \u2014 I want us to think about this. <\/strong>Do our lives point people to Jesus or away from Him?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Is there enough evidence by the way we are living to cause people to stop and consider what we profess?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Well\u2026like all of the other chapters we\u2019ve looked at in Daniel,<\/strong><strong> this chapter also reminds us about God\u2019s faithfulness and power. So, more than a story about Daniel \u2014 it\u2019s a story about God. He\u2019s the real hero here!&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Daniel<\/strong> trusted in <strong>God<\/strong> and <strong>God<\/strong> found blameless!&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The reason for <strong>Daniel\u2019s<\/strong> miraculous deliverance is that <strong>he trusted in God<\/strong>.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">When we face the <strong>roaring<\/strong> <strong>lions of this world \u2014 or the roaring lion<\/strong> <strong>Himself<\/strong>, the best response is to<strong> simply trust God.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-headings-color has-text-color has-link-color has-large-font-size wp-elements-e6ce504663953762ae3937a030587c8e wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>5. SOMETIMES OUR CONFLICT POINTS OTHERS TO THE LION WE SERVE! <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">The lion we serve &#8212; the Lion of Judah!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">As this story ends,<strong> Daniel is saved \u2014 but the evil<\/strong> <strong>schemers<\/strong> were not! Knowing their evil actions, <strong>Darius<\/strong> ended their lives. Look again at verse 24. It says:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-b1c4446863b354f6f8b64015ab687a03 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>Daniel 6:24 <\/em><\/strong><strong><em>24&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>At the king\u2019s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions\u2019 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.&nbsp;<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This demonstrates the miraculous character of <strong>Daniel\u2019s<\/strong> <strong>deliverance<\/strong>. These lions would have certainly killed <strong>Daniel<\/strong> had <strong>God<\/strong> not sovereignly intervened.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Continuing on\u2026in <strong>verse 25<\/strong>, we read:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-36413f54f567429f0fc97e45eb614ba8 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>25\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language in all the earth: \u201cMay you prosper greatly!<\/em> <strong><em>26\u00a0<\/em><\/strong><em>\u201cI issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-0ed7f87fbf74ac82562179628fb735ea wp-block-paragraph\"><em>\u201cFor he is the living God<br><\/em><em>and he endures forever;<br>his kingdom will not be destroyed,<br><\/em><em>his dominion will never end.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-428238b8ef37e06049756d6f6f755226 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>27<\/em><\/strong><em>&nbsp;He rescues and he saves;<br><\/em><em>he performs signs and wonders<br><\/em><em>in the heavens and on the earth.<br>He has rescued Daniel<br><\/em><em>from the power of the lions.\u201d<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"has-accent-2-color has-text-color has-link-color wp-elements-efc30c9435e537286f2a8bda9212a803 wp-block-paragraph\"><strong><em>28&nbsp;<\/em><\/strong><em>So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Conclusion<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Alright, just to wrap up \u2014 <strong>Daniel<\/strong> was saved because of the goodness and grace of God\u2026not because of Daniel\u2019s goodness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">But make no mistake about it \u2014 it is important how we live. May we again live RESOLVED! May we trust in God and stand upon our convictions.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">And may God reveal His faithfulness to us in those hard moments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>May we be found faithful in serving God and sharing Jesus with the world.&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Closing Prayer<\/strong><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>DEALING WITH LIONS! Daniel\u00a06:10-25 INTRODUCTION:&nbsp; If you would, turn with me to Daniel 6. This is probably the most well known chapter (and story in &hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-1007","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1007","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=1007"}],"version-history":[{"count":2,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1007\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":1012,"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/1007\/revisions\/1012"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/chuckhilltoday.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=1007"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}