Paul McKenzie

Memory Verse, Wednesday, November 12, Daniel 6 part 3

Chapter 6: Daniel is in a big FIX! MIXES with Lions.

"Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him." (18)

So this proud king realized his mistake. He humbled himself before the Lord, refusing sleep and pleasure until the decree had finished its course. "Then, at the break of day, the king arose and went in haste to the den of lions. As he came near to the den where Daniel was he cried out in a tone of anguish. The king declared to Daniel, "O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" (19-20)

Can you imagine this? To me, this is one of the most moving passages in Scripture. Maybe this king knew of the past tale of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego in the heyday of Babylon, where they were spared and protected by the Son of God from the flames of the furnace. Maybe he was told of the proud "king of kings", Nebuchadnezzar transformed into a beast of the field because of his pride by Daniel's God. Maybe the handwriting on the wall that gave him the kingdom was still vivid in his mind.

Whatever else was going through his mind, we find that he had great love for this old saint, and cried out in anguish, hope against hope. And he was not disappointed!

"Then Daniel said to the king, "O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm." (21-22)

I wonder if Peter might have had Daniel in mind when he said "Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame." (1 Peter 3:13-16)

Our role as believers is to be kind, forgiving and praying for those who work evil against us. Listen to Romans 12:19-21: "Beloved, never avenge yourselves, but leave it to the wrath of God, for it is written, "Vengeance is mine, I will repay, says the Lord. To the contrary, "if your enemy is hungry, feed him; if he is thirsty, give him something to drink; for by so doing you will heap burning coals on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good."

And the verses immediately following reveal that God has appointed authorities of the law to exact punishment in this world. "For he is the servant of God, an avenger who carries out God's wrath on the wrongdoer." (Romans 13:4b)

And we saw this in immediate action in Daniel 6:21: "And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones to pieces."

Yikes. Sometimes God avenges right away. Sometimes it is later, even after our mortal deaths, as will be for the Tribulation saints in Revelation 6, the fifth seal: "When I opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been." (9-11)

And, a new decree was made: "I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God; enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, he who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions." (26-27)

"So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian." (28)

And we will be with him and hear his story of the glory of God when we are in heaven as well. One of the countless thousands of tales displaying God's glory for the good of His beloved children. You can be beloved as well.

Today if you hear His voice, harden not your heart.

*ESV used unless noted*

Memory Helps:

Chapter 6: Daniel is in a big FIX! MIXES with Lions.

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