The Lion's Den

 Stepping Out in RED Shoes! 

- Day 90 -

There are days when you just have to know...

Does God deliver? or doesn't He?

Maybe there's only one way to find out?

"The Lion's Den Experience"

Today I find myself meditating on the story of  Daniel and the Lion's Den.  (Daniel, chapter 6)
 I love this story!  It's filled with some of the most powerful scriptures.  Take a look at verse 3 -- it points out something very unique about Daniel...

"Daniel so distinguished himself 

among the administrators and satraps 

by his exceptional qualities that the king 
planned to set him over the whole kingdom.

Some versions note that it was an "excellent spirit"  that set him apart.  

In the everyday course of life, I sometimes wonder...

• Have I distinguished myself above the unsaved?
• Is there something unique about me that reflects an excellent spirit?
• Is God contemplating a promotion for me?

The officials hated Daniel.  They were jealous -- so much so, that went out of their way to find fault with him.  When they couldn't, they resorted to tricking the king.  They went to King Darius and convinced him to establish a royal statute and firm decree that stated:

"Anyone praying to any god or man for thirty days,

other than to King Darius, himself, 

would be thrown into the lion's den."

Of course, once the king signed it, the officials all pointed out that Daniel was in opposition to it.  The king was sick over the whole ordeal.  Daniel 6:14 says...

"When the king heard this, 
he was greatly distressed;  
he was determined to rescue Daniel 
and made every effort until sundown to save him." 

Unfortunately, the decree was unchangeable!   Daniel was thrown into the lion's den.

There may come a time when you, unexpectedly, find yourself in a lion's den of sorts.  You'll wonder, "How did I get here?  Wasn't I  doing everything God asked?"   Join the club!   Daniel sat with the lions.  Joseph with the butler and the baker. Peter, John, Paul and Silas -- they all found themselves there -- some more than once.

You're in good company.  God came through for them and He'll come through for you!

I  love what King Darius boldly proclaimed to Daniel  before the stone was rolled over the opening of the den.  (Daniel 6:16)

"May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!"  

The king returned home, fasted and prayed, never sleeping.  When morning broke, He ran to the den and immediately had the stone rolled away.  In utter desperation, he cried out...

"Daniel!  servant of the living God, 

has your God, 
whom you serve continually, 
been able to rescue you 
from the lions?"

Daniel replied...

"O king, live forever!  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 done any wrong before you, O king."

As awesome as this story is, I noticed that no one ever volunteers to be thrown into the lion den just to prove God,  me included -- even though I am a sucker for a good story!  But I would imagine that there's something about sitting in the lion's den that's actually comforting.  It's  the thought... "Finally, I'll know for myself!"   If that be true, you'd never have to rely on someone else's story.

You'd come out with your own lion's den experience --

 a mighty tale of God's deliverance! 

If no one volunteers for such an adventure, I won't speculate on how it is that people find themselves in such a place.  Though it seems like the test of all tests -- doesn't it?  Those who pass are greatly rewarded.  Their story changes the world. -- It distributes hope in the darkest of places. -- It causes people to believe! 

Paul said...

"... the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength so 

that through me the message might be fully proclaimed 

and all the Gentiles might hear it.  And I was delivered 

from the lion's mouth."

2 Timothy 4:16-18a  

I don't wish to step out in RED shoes and into a lion's den, by any means.  But if God deems it necessary, I'll stand on the stories of all those who've been there,  and trust that the God I continually serve will rescue me too!

Gail