Week of February 19 (Daniel 6: The Lion’s Den)
If you grew up in church, you are sure to have heard about Daniel and The Lions’ Den in Sunday School. Found in Daniel 6, it is a story with all the qualities and characteristics that make it memorable: intrigue, plans and schemes, betrayal, danger, punishment, and the ultimate victory of good over evil. Yet, when you dig into this story, it is so much more than a children’s Sunday School tale of heroic faith. It also contains some very important truths we need to take into account as we live out our faith in today’s world. One of these very strong themes is that God is with us through the trials we face, and continues to be with us no matter the outcome. Daniel’s faith in God’s presence in the storms he faced, and his trust that God would win out even if he didn’t intervene on Daniel’s behalf, are vital lessons for us as we continue to live out our faith in a world that is searching for answers to the difficult questions of life.
Monday, February 20
After predicting the downfall of Belshazzar and his kingdom, Daniel quickly makes a good impression on the new boss, Darius. Make that a great impression – King Darius wants to give Daniel responsibility over the entire kingdom. As is often the case, triumph and elevation are quickly met with temptation. We even see this in the ministry of Jesus.
What is your natural response to achievement and accolades? How long do the happy feelings last?
Is this timing of temptation coincidental? An inescapable byproduct of success? Or intentionally ordained by a loving Father?
Tuesday, February 21
Throughout these first few books of Daniel, it is clear that because of their faith, these men faced many hardships. Now, we see other leaders in Babylon trying to destroy Daniel, and plotting against him. Oftentimes, we run into situations where we see similar events (maybe not leading to death, but to disgrace or a loss of something instead) happen to people who follow and honor God in their lives. We are warned over and over again to expect that type of treatment as the enemy wants to destroy God’s people. Again, we see that Daniel does not change his behaviors nor does he fight the outcome, he just quietly follows God and trusts that God will be with him, no matter what.
The verse from John is when Jesus is preparing his disciples for the things to come–his death and ultimately leaving them. He assures them they will have trouble in this world, but also promises that he has overcome the world. This message is as much for us as it was for them. He also says that they (and we) may have peace in him. Why, when we have this assurance, is it often so difficult to maintain peace when we are faced with trials and tribulations in our lives?
The main ideas found in the first six chapters of Daniel, and the parallels found in other Bible passages, remind me of the song by Casting Crowns, “Praise You in this Storm.” Part of the lyrics say:
“And I'll praise You in this storm
And I will lift my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
And every tear I've cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm.”
Are you facing a storm right now? How can Daniel’s story and the other examples we have read over the past few weeks help you through whatever you are experiencing with reassurance that God is with you in the storms of life?
Wednesday, February 22
In Daniel 6:19-23, we find once again that Daniel finds himself in hot water for obeying God. Commanded by the king’s decree not to worship anyone or anything except King Darius, Daniel continues to turn towards Jerusalem and pray three times a day. This brings the sentence of death on him. Even though Darius is distraught, there is nothing he can do to change this decree, and Daniel is thrown into a pit of lions where he must stay overnight. Daniel seems to quietly accept this outcome, while Darius is so distraught over it that he cannot eat or sleep, and rushes to see if Daniel’s God has saved him from this death sentence early the following morning.
The storms of life are inevitable, and come in many forms: death of a loved one, loss of a job, illness, injury, the end of a relationship, family strife, etc. Sometimes we get miracles and sometimes we don’t, and the outcome is not one we hoped for. Daniel, Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednigo were saved from their trials over and over again. However, they always knew that God may not answer them the way they hoped. Yet, their faith did not waiver, and believed God would still be God no matter if he chose to save them or not. In Hebrews 11 there are many examples given of people of great faith, yet each of them died without seeing the promises God had given them fulfilled. So, why do modern Christians often think that they will get exactly what they ask for if they have enough faith, or say the right words, when the examples given in the Bible often show that things won't always go as hoped or expected for believers? How should we handle disappointment when God doesn’t answer the way we want him to?
Think about a time you experienced a miracle in your life; an answer you needed and received. Now think about a time when you did not get that miracle you hoped for. How did you react? How did your faith change? What did you receive from God in the loss or disappointment you experienced?
Thursday, February 23
Thus far we see that Daniel’s reputation is solid. He is brimming with spirit and intelligence. Time and again he outclasses his peers. He reminds me of Mother Theresa or Mr. Rogers. A person who seems too good to be true. As a result, the other satraps decide to start a smear campaign against him. They want to find dirt, skeletons, anything. But, Daniel is exemplary and blameless. There is no evidence of negligence or misconduct. So, they decide to invent something, to trump up some charges. Even then Daniel doesn’t falter; doesn’t fear for his life. Throughout his Babylonian experience Daniel is able to maintain his identity. He is given a special diet, Daniel maintains his own diet. He is given a new name, his Hebrew name sticks. The way he worships and prays is unaffected by Babylon. Living in Babylon has not changed Daniel’s identity and from what we can tell he lived in a very upright manner.
What similarities do you find between Daniel and Jesus, in how they lived and how others viewed them?
Like Jesus, Daniel does not falter from his focus and commitment. What may pull your attention away from a devoted life? What would need to happen for you to develop a consistent pursuit of God’s direction and authority in your life?
Friday, February 24
After King Darius witnessed Daniel’s miracle, the King published a proclamation about God’s dominion to every race, color, and creed on earth. This proclamation and event was possible because the Israelites were in captivity. Daniel had the position, vulnerability, visibility, and opportunity to reflect God’s nature and divinity. How ironic that God’s reputation was able to shine and stand out and be recognized in a time of captivity and oppression better than it did in Jerusalem during a time of freedom. During the Israelites safe and comfortable experience in Jerusalem these opportunities were not evident or as easy to notice.
In hindsight we can look at the opportunities that were present for Daniel and admire his verve and faithfulness. In our own circumstances though, how do we handle what appear to be dire situations in the moment? How do we frame our experiences? Is our experience something that we look at tragically or do we look for God’s intention/hand in the middle of it?
Do we have obvious “Peace beyond understanding” and assurance, or like the King, are we verbally expressing that God is in control, but not eating and having sleepless nights?
Saturday, February 25
The statement put out by King Darius after Daniel survived the Lions’ Den reminds us of the nature of God and his kingdom. God and his kingdom are enduring, cannot be destroyed, and are miraculous. We find a similar theme in Romans 8, including the promise that God works for the good of those who love him in ALL THINGS. That means there are times we receive the answers we have prayed for and times we don’t. Times there is light, and times we walk in darkness. But God will not let the hard times win! Later in Romans, we are reminded that NOTHING can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus! What beautiful promises to remember when we go through the rough waters of this life, and can be confident, like Daniel, that God will be with us through the trials we experience.
Where in your walk with God have you seen him bring good out of a bad or hard situation?
How does the assurance that nothing can separate us from the love of God bring you comfort today?