Devotion: Daniel & the Lions
Daniel 6:19-22
“Then, at break of day, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?” Daniel then said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.”
The story of Daniel in the Lion’s Den is common among Christians of all ages, (you can find it in Daniel, chapter 6). As a child, I remember sitting in the cool, damp basement of my church during summer break, staring at the poster of a bearded man in a cave surrounded by gentle lions. As a mom, I’ve read the story out of a board-book bible with my toddlers all the while working on their animal sounds. “What does the lion say?” As a teacher, I’ve taught dramas and sang songs with children. But I’ve never truly felt the gruesome and frightening situation that Daniel is in. Here is a man blatantly disobeying the orders of his boss, while trusting the plan of his God.
I can think of many times in my life when it was easier to turn away from what God wanted me to do and take the easy way out. I’ve been in situations where my heart was pounding knowing what was right but wanting to choose what was popular. My children have come to me looking for an easy answer to a hard situation. We’ve all looked for ways to make everyone happy. The hard part can be clearing out space to listen to God and knowing what would please Him.
What was important to Daniel is that he obeyed God regardless of the consequences. My favorite part of this story is how Daniel responds to the King the morning after he’s been sentenced to death. “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless”. What an awesome example of faith!
Gracious Father,
Have mercy on us and empower us with faith like Daniel so we too can be found blameless. Plant your Spirit deep in us so that when we don’t know what to do, we will do what’s right. Fill us with a presence so strong that we have no choice but to listen to You. Surround us with angels that will protect us and shut the mouths of lions. In the mighty, saving name of Jesus,
Amen.
Written by Julie Anderson
Julie Anderson is a member of Sheridan’s Devotion Writing Team. She works part-time as Sheridan’s Children’s Music Coordinator where she is passionate about teaching children to use their musical gifts to praise God. Julie is married to Scott and counts her greatest honor as being mom to Adrienne, Eliot and Elise.