The story of Daniel in the Lions’ den shines a light on the strength and majesty of our God. Think about the sheer, raw power of a lion. Now escalate that power by the motivation of a hungry stomach.
A few statistics to flesh out the picture, so to speak. An average male reaches a length of nine feet. Pair this with a weight of 350-400 pounds. Picture the thirty teeth in that enormous jaw, each capable of tearing flesh to pieces. Should you feel that a quick dash may be the answer to avoid capture, realize a lion is capable of 30 miles an hour. Forget leaping to safety, the lion can just follow along leaping twelve feet vertically or thirty-six feet horizontally. And while humans are not their primary prey, they are able to bring down small elephants if need be. This isn’t just a lion den, this is a lions den with an “S.”
This is a dire situation for the prophet. The numbers are in, there is no saving him. And yet that morning when King Darius rushes to the den and calls out into the emptiness, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” A voice answered. “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight.”
The lions’ mouths are shut. Daniel is safe. Take a few minutes and let that sink in. Daniel is safe, because of the power of God. So often we focus on God with us, and God as Father. But Daniel chapter six is a vivid picture of a God who is transcendent and glorious. A God who is omniscient and powerful. He is the one who can create a world with the word of his mouth. This is the one true God. The God Daniel risked His life to worship.
Conversation starter with God: Reflect on where you see God’s greatness and hand of might. After this reflection and time of recognizing who God is, worship Him in response.
A few statistics to flesh out the picture, so to speak. An average male reaches a length of nine feet. Pair this with a weight of 350-400 pounds. Picture the thirty teeth in that enormous jaw, each capable of tearing flesh to pieces. Should you feel that a quick dash may be the answer to avoid capture, realize a lion is capable of 30 miles an hour. Forget leaping to safety, the lion can just follow along leaping twelve feet vertically or thirty-six feet horizontally. And while humans are not their primary prey, they are able to bring down small elephants if need be. This isn’t just a lion den, this is a lions den with an “S.”
This is a dire situation for the prophet. The numbers are in, there is no saving him. And yet that morning when King Darius rushes to the den and calls out into the emptiness, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” A voice answered. “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight.”
The lions’ mouths are shut. Daniel is safe. Take a few minutes and let that sink in. Daniel is safe, because of the power of God. So often we focus on God with us, and God as Father. But Daniel chapter six is a vivid picture of a God who is transcendent and glorious. A God who is omniscient and powerful. He is the one who can create a world with the word of his mouth. This is the one true God. The God Daniel risked His life to worship.
Conversation starter with God: Reflect on where you see God’s greatness and hand of might. After this reflection and time of recognizing who God is, worship Him in response.
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