Don’t feed the Lions! [Daniel 6]

This is probably one of the best known chapters of Daniel or perhaps in the whole Bible. The story of Daniel in the lion’s den. As children we would sing, “Daniel was a man of prayer daily he prayed three times.”

I trust as we study this passage of scripture we may once again be amazed at the keeping and preserving power of our God. May we also glean some practical truths.

There is much for us to learn from these verses. We will see Satan’s devices and then the Saviour’s deliverance.

We have the kingdom of darkness; Satan is surely in this passage.

We have the animal kingdom, the king of the jungle, the lion is here.

We have the king of king’s working in this passage.

We will see the roaring lion who walketh about seeking whom he may devour; we will also see the real lion in the den.

We will see the lion of the tribe of Judah.

The Introduction, let’s consider the first three verses.

Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom an hundred and twenty princes, which should be over the whole kingdom;

In chapter five Babylon had fallen as God had told Daniel and Nebuchadnezzar in chapter two. The Medes and Persians were now in control.

Daniel 2:39 And after thee shall arise another kingdom inferior to thee, and another third kingdom of brass, which shall bear rule over all the earth.

Darius is ruling in Babylon. Remember we said that this kingdom would be inferior to Nebuchadnezzar’s. We see this even in verse one, Nebuchadnezzar was an autocratic ruler, and here we see Darius appoints others to govern with him, he is not in complete control. Darius appoints one hundred and twenty princes to rule over the provinces. As we can also see from verse two, he had three appointed rulers over the princes.

Daniel 6:2 And over these three presidents; of whom Daniel was first: that the princes might give accounts unto them, and the king should have no damage.

The princes were to report to the presidents. They in turn would make sure that every thing was done decently and in order. Like in our day, government officials were suspect. There was always the danger of them taking bribes and lining their own pockets. Darius wanted a good eye kept on the affairs. That’s what is meant by the phrase at the end of verse two, “so the king should have no damage.”

Daniel 6:3 Then this Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes, because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king thought to set him over the whole realm.

Daniel was given the job of first minister, we are told, “an excellent spirit was in him.” Daniel was a man full of the Holy Ghost, a man who displayed the fruit of the spirit and one whom the king could trust. Bear in mind that Daniel was now about ninety years of age. Daniel is proof that we don’t have to stoop to ways of the world, to gain advancement or promotion in our chosen profession.

Success comes with its own problems. Success brought problems for Daniel, but they were problems this aged saint could well handle. I want us to thing of Daniel’s governmental colleagues. They had it in for Daniel from the word go.

The Investigation, consider verse number four.

Daniel 6:4 Then the presidents and princes sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find none occasion nor fault; forasmuch as he was faithful, neither was there any error or fault found in him.

What was wrong with Daniel’s colleagues? Why did they want rid of Daniel?

Let’s remember behind all attacks on God’s people is our adversary the Devil and here Satan wants to topple Daniel. He uses some of his favoured weapons. Let’s examine them that we might avoid them in our own lives.

Weapon number one in Satan’s armoury is envy.

W. E. Vine defines envy as, “Wanting to take away that which another has.”

These colleagues of Daniel envied his position and Satan had surely twisted their hearts. They couldn’t stand the fact that this man had such a favoured position with the king. Envy is the feeling of displeasure produced by witnessing or hearing about the advantage or prosperity of others. Envy was eating away at them then it moved them to act and to get rid of this man called Daniel.

Envy will wreck a child of God if he lets it fester in his heart. Envy is of the devil, look at what the word of God says about it.

Proverbs 14:30 A sound heart is the life of the flesh: but envy the rottenness of the bones.

Proverbs 27:4 Wrath is cruel, and anger is outrageous; but who is able to stand before envy?

Envy is rotten in the sight of a holy God.

Galatians 5:21 Envyings, murders, drunkenness, revellings, and such like: of the which I tell you before, as I have also told you in time past, that they which do such things shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

Envy should not be found in a believer. Satan put envy in these men’s hearts that they might bring Daniel down.

Look what envy did to Joseph’s brethren.

Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

Joseph was loved by his father, favoured by his father and adorned by his father. What effect did this have on his brothers?

Genesis 37:4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

We see them then put their envy into action.

Genesis 37:19-20 And they said one to another, Behold, this dreamer cometh. [20] Come now therefore, and let us slay him, and cast him into some pit, and we will say, Some evil beast hath devoured him: and we shall see what will become of his dreams.

They hated Joseph, they couldn’t speak anything but evil of him. They even wanted to kill him and they ended up selling him as a slave. They took him out of the picture.

Don’t let Satan put envy in your heart. Daniel’s colleagues were full of envy and of jealousy.

Envy wants to deprive, jealousy wants to have that which another has. They wanted Daniel’s power prestige and position.

Another of Satan’s favourite weapons is discontentment.

Daniel’s colleagues were not happy with their own position, not happy that they too had honoured positions, they wanted more. Their philosophy was, “The only way up was to shoot someone else down.” They thought their only hope of advancement was to get rid of Daniel. Perhaps Daniel would hinder their practises, nothing would be swept under the carpet. Daniel was a nuisance he had to go.

Sadly many Christians have a spirit of discontentment. In spite of what God’s word says.

Hebrews 13:5 Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

Philip. 4:11 Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content.

1 Tim. 6:8 And having food and raiment let us be therewith content.

1 Tim. 6:6 But godliness with contentment is great gain.

How we need to count our blessings, like this old hymn exhorts:

When you look at others with their lands and gold,

Think that Christ has promised you his wealth untold.

Count your many blessings money cannot buy,

You’re reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

Discontentment is a great weapon of Satan and he was using these colleagues of Daniel by their envy, jealousy, discontentment, greed, bigotry and hatred.

Daniel’s colleagues instigated a thorough investigation into Daniel’s affairs. Look at verse four.

One hundred and twenty two men begin to investigate Daniel’s public life and that’s what is meant by the term “concerning the kingdom.” The books are opened as they search for corruption, dishonesty and deceit. They could find none occasion or fault. What a testimony Daniel had.

What about your public life? A lack of integrity causes distrust. A lack of integrity hinders your testimony. Why would an unbeliever want to be saved when his own ethics are greater than that of the Christians he knows?

A lack of integrity causes non-believers to be cynical about all Christians. Have you ever noticed that no one acts shocked when a government official is caught drunk, on drugs, with fraudulent funds or in an illicit sexual relationship. However, let a pastor or prominent Christian be caught with the slightest blemish and it’s big news. Why? Because we are held accountable by the message we proclaim.

A lack of integrity brings reproach on your church. A lack of integrity wounds your family name. Not only will dishonesty hinder your testimony, hurt your business and diminish your church, it will tear down your family.

A lack of integrity is passed on to your children.

George Munzing tells of a time that he went to counsel a family about their son's drug use. The father was distraught as he described the impact of drugs upon his relationship with his son. He said, "The thing that bothers me most about his being into drugs is the fact that drugs have made him a liar." Moments later the phone rang and his wife went to answer. She came back into the room with the message that the call was for the father. He told her, "Tell him I am not at home."

Drugs had not made the boy a liar; the father had. Abraham Lincoln said, "For a man to train up a child in the way he or she should go, he must walk that way himself."

"Fame is a vapour, popularity an accident, riches take wings, those who cheer today may curse tomorrow, only one thing endures, character."

Charles Spurgeon wrote, "A good character is the best tombstone. Those who loved you, and were helped by you, will remember you when forget-me-nots are withered. Carve your name on hearts, and not on marble." Eccl.7: 1 says, "A good name is better than precious ointment."

Robert Tamasy writes about a Christian friend of his in the Midwest who was general manager of a chain of newspapers. One of his responsibilities was the setting of advertising policies. At one point he ordered that advertising clients who used a Christian symbol or bible verse on business cards or stationery would be required to pay cash in advance. These were his worst paying accounts. Our most effective witness to non Christians and to fellow believers is not through what we say, but through what we do.

Search the books? Daniel wouldn’t have cheated on his employer, he wouldn’t have taken anything no matter how insignificant it may seem, and they couldn’t even find one fault. Here is a man who has been in public life for sixty years and he hasn’t put a foot wrong.

Proverbs 16:7 When a man's ways please the Lord, he maketh even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Dr Walter Wilson once said in the midst of many accusations, “ I thank thee Lord that these accusations against me are not true,” Daniel could have prayed like that.

1 Peter 3:16 Having a good conscience; that, whereas they speak evil of you, as of evildoers, they may be ashamed that falsely accuse your good conversation in Christ.

Let’s look again at verse four.

They go further because they also look into his private life notice the words, “neither was any error or fault found in him.” No skeletons in Daniel’s cupboard. Daniel had lived a godly life in an ungodly world.

What about your private life? Not your church life, what about home? How would we stand under such an investigation?

Daniel as a young boy made a decision, remember chapter one verse eight.

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel purposed in his heart that he would not defile himself with the portion of the king's meat, nor with the wine which he drank: therefore he requested of the prince of the eunuchs that he might not defile himself.

Daniel had remained faithful for many many years. May God give all of us that purpose of heart. Daniel’s public and private life was impeccable. The devices of Satan can be defeated by a good testimony

Daniel was an old man; age is no barrier to service for the Lord and no guarantee that persecution will be avoided.

Eccles. 8:8 There is no man that hath power over the spirit to retain the spirit; neither hath he power in the day of death: and there is no discharge in that war; neither shall wickedness deliver those that are given to it.

The intention, let’s consider verse five.

Daniel 6:5 Then said these men, We shall not find any occasion against this Daniel, except we find it against him concerning the law of his God.

The only way they could entrap Daniel was concerning his devotion to God. That’s the conclusion they come to in verse five. Daniel was known as a man committed to the Lord. They couldn’t get at his public life, his private life so they look into his prayer life. A man with a prayer life will not fear an investigation into his public or private life. A man with no prayer life will probably have a lousy testimony.

The intention is to get rid of Daniel at any cost, look at verse six.

Daniel 6:6 Then these presidents and princes assembled together to the king, and said thus unto him, King Darius, live for ever.

Daniel’s enemies seek an audience with the king. We can see a few more of Satan’s devices. Look at verse seven.

Daniel 6:7 All the presidents of the kingdom, the governors, and the princes, the counsellors, and the captains, have consulted together to establish a royal statute, and to make a firm decree, that whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king, he shall be cast into the den of lions.

They begin with dishonesty, another of Satan’s weapons. They said, “ All the presidents,” for a start the main one Daniel didn’t know a thing about it. They deceived the king. Lies are from Satan, remember what Jesus said in John’s gospel.

John 8:44 Ye are of your father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it.

Look again at verse seven.

They not only use dishonest but also flattery. “That whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save of thee, O king.” They were making Darius out to be a god, it was not uncommon in those days for the emperor to be made a god.

Flattery is like perfume nice to smell but awful if you swallow it. All prayers for thirty days were to be directed to this king. The king was flattered. Now we see another of Satan’s favourite weapons, pride; Darius was lifted up with the thought of people praying to him. Satan was doing his best to destroy this man of God. They couldn’t find dirt on Daniel so they attacked the weakness of Darius.

Daniel 6:8 Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

It would appear from verse eight that they had the document written all they needed was a signature. Once signed this law was irrevocable, it couldn’t be changed.

What would the King do?

Daniel 6:9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.

Darius made a hasty decision, one he would later regret. We have spent sometime looking at some of Satan’s favourite devices. Envy jealousy, hatred, bigotry, discontentment, lies, flattery, pride and even a hasty decision. Why is this important?

2 Cor. 2:11 Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices.

Just as the birds will peck at the ripest fruit, Satan will try and attack those who are living godly lives. We don’t want to be ignorant of his devices. Next we will see how god delivered godly Daniel.

Daniel had purity in life; a prayer life and he would experience power in his life.

We have looked at Satan’s Devices we want to concentrate now on the Saviour’s deliverance.

The Intercession.

Daniel according to verse ten knew that the writing was signed; word had reached the ears of this great man of God.

Daniel 6:10 “Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed,”

Here is another of those times in our lives when we have to make a decision. What would Daniel do? Let’s weigh up the possibilities.

Without prayer for a month surely it would be a small price to pay?

He could pray in secret and no one would ever know.

There was and always seems to be an easy way out but what would Daniel do?

I wonder as a child of God, is there a decision you have to make?

Will you please God or please man? Will you please God or please the family? Will you please God or please your friends? Will you please God or please your employer? Will you please God or please your colleagues? Paul exhorts us to please God in first Thessalonians.

1 Thes. 4:1 Furthermore then we beseech you, brethren, and exhort you by the Lord Jesus, that as ye have received of us how ye ought to walk and to please God, so ye would abound more and more.

With Daniel it was a question of loyalty to God or loyalty to the king. It couldn’t be for God and Babylon, it had to be one or the other.

Christians should obey the law of the land as taught by scripture.

Romans 13:1 Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.

1 Peter 2:13 Submit yourselves to every ordinance of man for the Lord's sake: whether it be to the king, as supreme;

There are times, however, when a child of God with a clear conscience can break the law of the land. That’s when it breaks God’s law. Look at acts five.

Acts 5:29 Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men.

This is not a licence for lawlessness, it is a licence for godliness.

What would Daniel do? Look again at verse ten.

Daniel 6:10 Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime.

Daniel went to prayer; notice some lovely thoughts in this verse.

Daniel had a place where he prayed, “ He went into his house.”

Have you a place in your home where you get alone with God? The church prayer meeting is important as we come together to pray, so is the home prayer time.

Notice the Lord’s example in Matthew fourteen.

Matthew 14:23 And when he had sent the multitudes away, he went up into a mountain apart to pray: and when the evening was come, he was there alone.

Notice the three, “a”s, away, apart and alone.

Matthew 6:6 But thou, when thou prayest, enter into thy closet, and when thou hast shut thy door, pray to thy Father which is in secret; and thy Father which seeth in secret shall reward thee openly.

Have you that place where you get alone with God?

Daniel prayed with a prospect in his mind. “ Toward Jerusalem.”

2 Chron. 6:36-39 If they sin against thee, (for there is no man which sinneth not,) and thou be angry with them, and deliver them over before their enemies, and they carry them away captives unto a land far off or near; [37] Yet if they bethink themselves in the land whither they are carried captive, and turn and pray unto thee in the land of their captivity, saying, We have sinned, we have done amiss, and have dealt wickedly; [38] If they return to thee with all their heart and with all their soul in the land of their captivity, whither they have carried them captives, and pray toward their land, which thou gavest unto their fathers, and toward the city which thou hast chosen, and toward the house which I have built for thy name: [39] Then hear thou from the heavens, even from thy dwelling place, their prayer and their supplications, and maintain their cause, and forgive thy people which have sinned against thee.

He prayed toward Jerusalem with real hope in his soul. He was praying in faith. There is no point praying if we expect nothing, James reminds us.

James 1:6-7 But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. [7] For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Daniel had a posture for prayer.

“He kneeled upon his knees,” there is no definite prayer posture. If you go through scripture you discover many prayer postures. Perhaps for private prayer this is the preferred one. Bowing on our knees shows God that we come humbly, falling at his feet. We recognise his majesty, his ability and our own worthlessness as we fall at his feet in utter dependence.

Stephen prayed like this when he showed his selflessness.

Acts 7:60 And he kneeled down, and cried with a loud voice, Lord, lay not this sin to their charge. And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

Peter prayed like this when he needed strength from God.

Acts 9:40 But Peter put them all forth, and kneeled down, and prayed; and turning him to the body said, Tabitha, arise. And she opened her eyes: and when she saw Peter, she sat up.

Paul prayed like this showing the true shepherds heart he had.

Acts 20:36 And when he had thus spoken, he kneeled down, and prayed with them all.

Christ prayed like this when he showed his submissiveness in Gethsemane.

Luke 22:41 And he was withdrawn from them about a stone's cast, and kneeled down, and prayed,

If Daniel, Peter, Paul, Stephen and the Lord got down on their knees then we follow very good examples.

Daniel made prayer a priority.

Daniel prayed three times a day, prayer was not incidental it was essential. We talk about three meals a day, prayer was something just as necessary for Daniel. Like the Psalmist he could say.

Psalm 55:17 Evening, and morning, and at noon, will I pray, and cry aloud: and he shall hear my voice.

Daniel had surely prayed that morning and how he is so glad that he had prayed. We never know what a day may bring forth. Before you see any ones face in the morning we should seek the Lord’s face first.

Daniel really prayed.

Daniel really prayed, he wasn’t just playing at it.

Daniel praised God in his prayers.

Look again at verse ten, “Gave thanks before his God.” What an amazing thing to give thanks with the death penalty upon his head. Paul reminds us.

1 Thes. 5:18 In every thing give thanks: for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus concerning you.

Prayer is the recipe for the peace which passeth all understanding, remember again what Paul taught in Philippians.

Philip. 4:6 Be careful for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God.

Have you praised the Lord lately? Have you said thank you Lord for saving my soul?

Too often our prayers centre on what we need or what we want. We forget all what he has given to us and done for us. May we take time to praise him in our prayers.

Daniel had a pattern to his prayer life. Look again at verse ten.

Notice the words, “as he did aforetime,” this was Daniel’s daily routine. He didn’t just start to provoke the king, he didn’t go out of his way to seek persecution. This was Daniel’s way of life. He was known in Babylon as a man of prayer. Daniel would rather go to the lions den than miss the prayer meeting. How many of God’s people could go for one month without prayer?

Daniel was a busy man but he found time to pray. Perhaps this poem depicts your prayer life.

I knelt to pray, but not for long, I had too much to do,

Must hurry off and get to work, for bills would soon be due.

And so I said a hurried prayer, jumped up from off my knees,

My Christian duties now were done, my soul could be at ease.

Daniel had been praying now for some sixty years at least, he started young. We need to encourage the young people to pray.

Daniel was told if you pray you will be cast into the lion’s den. Today we would need to say unless you pray we will cast you into the lion’s den. Can you see how far we have advanced?

Daniel prayed as he did aforetime, he didn’t just pray in a crisis. Those who don’t pray in the calm will find it even harder in the crisis. Perhaps praying in the calm could divert the crisis.

It is said that when General Gordon was fighting in the Sudan he put a white handkerchief outside his tent. His men knew not to disturb him because he was praying. Sadly today we have put out the white handkerchief, in surrender to Satan.

We can see in this chapter the length Satan would go to keep a man or women from praying.

Let’s look now at verse eleven.

Daniel 6:11 Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.

They must have hidden under Daniel’s window. They expected him to pray, Daniel was known in Babylon as a man of prayer. It’s a compliment when we are expected to pray. Would you and I ever be found praying?

The Indictment.

Daniel 6:12 Then they came near, and spake before the king concerning the king's decree; Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition of any God or man within thirty days, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions? The king answered and said, The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not.

Daniel’s enemies approach the King in verse twelve. They remind the King of the new law; he has no difficulty so far. The in verse thirteen they spill the beans on Daniel.

Daniel 6:13 Then answered they and said before the king, That Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day.

You can sense their hatred and bigotry as they say, “ that Daniel of the captivity of Judah.” Let’s see how the King reacts in verse fourteen.

Daniel 6:14 Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him.

King Darius was fond of Daniel but he had been fooled. The hasty decision, the swallowing of flattery, his believing the lie had duped him, he was cornered. He worked to the going down of the sun but the very king could do nothing for Daniel.

If God has planned a den for you then the very highest in the land will not prevent it happening. Look at verse sixteen.

Daniel 6:16 Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.

Walvoord translates this last line as; “Your God must deliver you,” in other words Daniel only your God could possible do anything for you now. Daniel found himself thrown into the lions den . Here is a man of God who was without fault. He has a prayer life and he is in the lions den. Some believers at times will cry and say, “What have I done to deserve this, when did I let the Lord down?”

Oh think about this godly old man, a man with purity of life and a prayer life and he is in the pit of life. It was dark, lonely and fierce. God allowed this to happen to Daniel.

What brought Daniel through?

The intervention.

Daniel 6:17 And a stone was brought and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.

There was no way out for Daniel humanly speaking, only God could do something.

Pause and think of Christ he was laid in an empty tomb, a stone blocked the way out.

Matthew 27:64-66 Command therefore that the sepulchre be made sure until the third day, lest his disciples come by night, and steal him away, and say unto the people, He is risen from the dead: so the last error shall be worse than the first. [65] Pilate said unto them, Ye have a watch: go your way, make it as sure as ye can. [66] So they went, and made the sepulchre sure, sealing the stone, and setting a watch.

There was no way out only by a miracle.

Let’s see the king’s actions for a moment in verse eighteen.

Daniel 6:18 Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him.

Here is a heathen in a palace and his soul is troubled, he cannot sleep. He refuses any of the worlds entertainment or remedies. When a heathen is even in the very palace he still has no peace. Now look at Daniel, a man of God in a pit and he is at peace. It’s great to be saved.

Daniel 6:19-20 Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. [20] And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?

This was heathen thinking, if Daniel had been chewed to bits, it meant that God wasn’t able. When God lets one of his own die, he is delivering them to a better place.

I wonder did Darius really expect an answer? Let’s look at verses twenty one and two.

Daniel 6:21-22 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. [22] My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.

God overruled the law of the Medes and Persians.

God overruled the very laws of nature, the lions had lock jaw.

It must have been frustrating for the Lions seeing a meal and not able to touch it.

Daniel had to be taken out of the den or else the lions would die of starvation. Look at verse twenty three.

Daniel 6:23 Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

We asked the question what brought Daniel through? We have the answer in this verse, “He believed in his God.” A living faith, in a living God will give courage and strength for every emergency in life. How great is our faith?

Matthew 9:29 Then touched he their eyes, saying, According to your faith be it unto you.

Hebrews 11:33 Who through faith subdued kingdoms, wrought righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions,

Daniel could really sing:

My times are in thy hand, my God I wish them there.

My life, my friends, my soul I leave entirely, to thy care.

What intervention, God stepped in shut the lion’s mouths and Daniel was delivered.

The Inspiration.

Lets look and see how the King was inspired to issue a new decree.

Daniel 6:24 And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den.

The actions recorded in verse twenty four were in accordance with Medes and Persian law. It is obvious from this that the Lions were hungry. Notice how the wives and children suffer, they didn’t want an uprising from relations after the punishment.

There is a solemn lesson in this however; our families can be affected by our decisions. Look at verse twenty five.

Daniel 6:25 Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you.

We have his message in the next two verses, this is another irrevocable degree.

Daniel 6:26-27 I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. [27] He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.

Daniel’s God deserved reverence, Daniel’s God was real and He was reigning.

What a happy conclusion we find in verse twenty-eight.

Daniel 6:28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius, and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

We have considered Satan’s devices and the Saviour’s deliverance.

The only footprints on the sands of time that will really last are the ones made after knee prints.