July 16, 2026

In the lion’s den?

All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an injunction, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” Therefore King Darius signed the document and injunction. When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously. (Daniel 6:7–10)
The king was reminded that his decree could not be revoked, and was told that Daniel ignored it. He must suffer the consequences so was thrown into a den of lions.
Then, at break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was, he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?” Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces. (Daniel 6:19–24)
This reveals the power of God. I’m reminded of two things. One, it explains why Daniel was not with the other three in the furnace. God had a different plan for him. And two, this alludes to God's  protection from the destructive power of Satan. These NT verses come to mind.
Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8)
You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father’s desires. He was a murderer from the beginning, and does not stand in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he lies, he speaks out of his own character, for he is a liar and the father of lies. (John 8:44)
But the Lord stood by me and strengthened me, so that through me the message might be fully proclaimed and all the Gentiles might hear it. So I was rescued from the lion’s mouth. (2 Timothy 4:17)
Jesus is the life-giving Lion of Judah. Satan is the life-destroying enemy and is totally opposite Him. The lions in Daniel’s life point ahead to the ‘lion’ who wants God's people to stop praying and worshiping. Yet our God protects His faithful children. This roaring lion could not destroy an obedient Daniel and he cannot destroy us.
Jesus, in these days of increasing persecution, I often think of the truth that “You win.” Even if those who hate Your people hate us to the point of taking our lives, we go into eternal life with You. We win, as did Daniel and the Apostle Paul who escaped. You declared this true at that ancient den and keep declaring it — and because of You, I live forever, no matter what that evil lion can say or try to do.



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