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I learned the story of Daniel and his lion’s den early in life.
In Daniel chapter 6, with a new king on the throne in Babylon, the enemies of Daniel conspired against him. They approached King Darius with an idea they knew would appeal to a new king establishing his reign.
They told him:
Great King Darius, live forever. All the people love and respect you. We want to prove our faithfulness to you. Please issue a decree that for 30 days, everyone in your kingdom can only worship and pray to you.
This decree should be sealed according to the Law of the Medes and Persians and cannot be revoked. Anyone who breaks this law will be put to death.
The prophet Daniel had revealed to the nation of Babylon that the former king would be removed from the throne. Darius was the successor. Obviously, Daniel had favor with Darius, while all the other satraps (think Congress) and commissioners (think Supreme Court) had less favor.
Power is power.
The Babylonian Congress and Supreme Court conspired to ensnare Daniel. Three times a day, Daniel opened the window of his house facing Jerusalem and worshipped the God of Israel.
Creating laws against the righteous – still practiced today!
Darius issued the worship decree, sealed under the law of the Medes and Persians. The law was absolute and even the king could not commute the death sentence.
Daniel was innocent. Others conspired against him.
The day after the decree, Daniel entered his house, opened the window toward Jerusalem, and prayed to God. His enemies watched, reported it to the king, and while the king recognized the conspiracy, could do nothing about it.
It was the law of the Medes and Persians.
That’s Daniel’s lion den. Someday you will have your own lion’s den!
Let’s talk about your lion’s den:
First, something happens that’s not your fault – an accident, false charges by co-workers, or even sickness.
Second, you are told there is nothing that can be done. That’s the law of the Medes and Persians. Maybe a doctor saying it’s hopeless, a boss conspiring, or an accident caused by someone else.
In Babylon during the time of Daniel and now in your time. The law of the Medes and Persians is absolute. The situation is hopeless. Too bad.
From Sunday School, I knew the ending to Daniel’s lion’s den. The conspirators didn’t win. The law of the Medes and Persians faced a higher law – the law of God on His throne. There is always hope when worshipping the living God.
The sovereign will of God expressed through our lives on earth can mean injury, job loss, and even death. Not all lion’s dens have release in this life. But either now or in eternity, we all meet God on His throne.
The law of the Medes and Persians will meet the highest law: the law of grace – which will be the law for eternity!
Back to Daniel.
He was thrown into the lion’s den. King Darius said, “It’s the law of the Medes and Persians; I have to do this. Perhaps your God will save you.”
The king couldn’t sleep that night. In the morning he ran to the lion’s den and called out to Daniel.
Daniel replied:
O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime. Daniel 6:24 ESV
Sunday School stories can be told over and over. Miracles upon miracles are in the Bible. Why does the Bible record the stories and the miracles?
Daniel’s lion’s den, your lion’s den – same God!