SLEEPING WITH THE LIONS
From Daniel 6:22 we read, “My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me.”
SLEEPING WITH THE LIONS. A little boy was frightened one night during a thunderstorm. The wind was howling, lightning flashed across his bedroom window, and every sound of thunder seemed louder than the last. Finally, he called out, "Dad, will you come sleep with me tonight?" His father walked into the room, sat on the edge of the bed, and gently said, "Son, you don't need me to sleep with you. God is here with you, and He will take care of you."
The little boy thought for a moment and then replied, "I know God is here, Dad, but right now I need something with skin on it." If we were honest, we can all relate to that little boy. We all know God is with us, yet there are moments when fear, uncertainty, and pain make us want a visible or audible reminder of His presence. Sometimes God provides that comfort through a friend, our spouse, a church family member, or a simple word of encouragement from our Bible at just the right time. But in our Scripture for today, Daniel did not have another person in that lions' den, but he did have something even greater, the reassuring presence of God. While the lions paced around him, heaven watched over him.
IF GOD BE FOR US. Daniel's enemies thought they had finally found a way to destroy him. They could find no fault in his character or his work, so they attacked his faith. Because Daniel would not stop praying, he was thrown into a den of hungry lions. From a human perspective, it seemed there was no hope. No one expected Daniel to survive the night. Yet when morning came, Daniel was alive and well because God had intervened.
NO PEACE IN THE PALACE. I noticed something in this story recently that I had never seen before. The man in the lions’ den had peace, while the man in the palace did not. King Darius returned to his palace surrounded by luxury, comfort, servants, and safety. Yet the Bible tells us that “his sleep went from him” (6:26). He spent the night restless and troubled, unable to find peace. Meanwhile, Daniel spent the night in a den full of hungry lions, yet rested peacefully under the watchful care of the Lord. Amen! What a picture of the contrast between the world and the child of God. Many people today live in palaces of comfort, yet have no peace. They worry about the future, fret over finances, carry guilt from the past, and fear what tomorrow may bring. Their surroundings may be comfortable, but their hearts are troubled. Others are facing lions. They are dealing with sickness, family burdens, financial pressures, disappointments, or uncertainty about the future. Yet because they know the Lord, they possess a peace the world cannot understand (see Philippians 4:6-7). *The difference was not where Daniel was. The difference was Who was with him. God’s presence turned a lions’ den into a place of rest, while the absence of peace turned a palace into a place of misery. I heard about a woman who was asked how she remained so calm during one of the most trying times of her life. She smiled and replied, “I’ve learned there’s no reason for me to stay awake worrying all night when God is going to be up anyway.” Daniel understood that truth long before she did.
A DEN THAT TURNED INTO A STAGE.
Whatever lion may be roaring in your life today, remember that it must answer to God. The lions were stronger than Daniel, but they were not stronger than Daniel's God. The den that was meant to destroy Daniel became a stage upon which God could display His faithfulness. And the trial you are facing today may become the very testimony that encourages someone else tomorrow. Remember this: It is better to be in a lions' den with God than in a palace without peace. The safest place in the world is in the will of God. Maybe you should pray this prayer today…”Lord, when the lions roar around me, help me to remember that You are greater than any fear I face. Give me the same peace that Daniel had and the confidence that You are watching over me through every trial. Help me, like you helped Daniel, to sleep with the lions! Amen!” Think it over…🙏