Those two words must be among the list of the most incredible phrases in Scripture. We can never lose our wonder and awe, or take for granted all the miraculous ways God reveals Himself throughout His Word. Here God is evidenced in a voice that responded. Let's review this amazing account recorded in Daniel.
Daniel is a remarkable young man. He was a survivor, not just of a lion's den, but of decades of "dens" through his time in Babylon and Persia. He appears to thrive in the toughest of environments. Living under extreme threats, He still retained His trust and faith in God, living an uncompromising life even in the face of death.
In the opening verses of Daniel 6, king Darius recognizes Daniel's qualifications as a leader and starts to make plans to place him over the entire empire. Upon hearing this, the other administrators and high officials search to find fault with Daniel, no doubt jealous of this competitor rising in position and power. Scripture tells us that they could not find anything to criticize or condemn. Imagine living such an exemplary life that even those scrutinizing every detail can find nothing for which to accuse you. God's word tells us Daniel "was faithful, always responsible, and completely trustworthy." (6:4b)
Desiring to trap Daniel somehow, they devise a way to see him fail because of his faithfulness. They convince king Darius to make a decree that for thirty days, "any person who prays to anyone, divine or human - except to you, Your Majesty - will be thrown into the den of lions." They know full well that because of Daniel's integrity and love for his Lord, this is the way they will be able to capture him and end his life, or so they assume.
"But when Daniel learned that the law had been signed, he went home and knelt down as usual in his upstairs room, with its windows open toward Jerusalem. He prayed three times a day, just as he had always done, giving thanks to his God" (vs10). I love those six words: "Just as he had always done." Prayer was such a natural, consistent component of Daniel's life, and there was no edict that could change his devotion. He did not worship the Lord only when it was convenient. He was a man of courage, commitment and conviction. Without hesitation or deliberation, he continued to do what he was accustomed to doing. We will never have a "just as he had always done" response if we do not currently have a "just as we are always doing" reality. Without a pattern of prayer, it will never become our go-to habit. Daniel knew the law had been signed, so his actions are essentially sealing his death sentence, yet he knelt as usual, in a room with open windows, and prayed.
The king had no choice but to follow through with his rashly made rule. Daniel was arrested and thrown into the den of lions, much to the regret of Darius, yet not without the king first offering a quick prayer: "May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you." Scripture tells us that "Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lion's den. When he got there, he called out in anguish, 'Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?'"
Imagine the emotions in that question. Would there be a response? Had Daniel's life been spared by his God? And then we read it. "Daniel answered." Does your heart thrill with all the Lord is able to do? God protects and defends His people. He is sovereign over every situation. He is still shutting the mouths of lions.
As believers today we are not immune to lion's dens, but we will only live through them by prayer and the power and preservation of God. Our voice, on the other side of seeming impossibilities, is victory!
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