Facing the Lions’ Den

February 27, 2009

By William E. Richardson

The predetermined verdict was set in stone. Anyone who broke the new law would exit this life smelling lions’ breath. Daniel’s enemies knew they’d find him praying. They escorted him to the king, whose soldiers escorted him to the lions’ den.

From there, the plot against Daniel crumbled.

What a strange night! The king, duped into signing the law, passed the night in sleeplessness. The conspirators slept soundly. The lions, who’d expected a feast, faced an involuntary fast. Daniel, surrounded by powerless, hungry lions, rested in God’s care.

The king visited the lions’ den at the light of dawn. He desired, hoped and prayed that Daniel would somehow be alive. When the king called to the prophet, Daniel answered, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me” (Daniel 6:22, NJKV).

Daniel the lions’ den survivor was first of all Daniel the faithful pray-er. His hope wasn’t in a quick emergency prayer on his way into the den. Daniel maintained an ongoing prayer habit. He prayed on normal days as well as in crisis times, “as was his custom since early days” (Daniel 6:10).

Daniel’s prayer plan helped him walk away from life’s worst situations unscathed. Is Daniel’s plan your plan?

If you aren’t standing in a lions’ den now, you will. In another year, another month, or next week, you may be surrounded by hungry problems; you could be staring into the teeth of adversity.

The plot against you can crumble.

The outcome of any lions’ den event isn’t based on the power of the lions’ roar (ability to cause fear) nor the power of the lions’ ferocity (ability to harm). The outcome depends on God’s power and intervention for His Daniel-like servants.

The prophet backed up his daily prayer life with constant faithfulness to God. Can it also be said of you that your hope is in “God, whom you serve continually” (Daniel 6:20)?

Daniel could stand before the lions because he’d been on his knees before God. He backed up his prayer life with the life he lived. Daniel sought God and served Him daily.

God locked the jaws of the fierce cats, sparing His praying servant. God can stop the mouths of the lions in your life.

Survival in the lions’ den is won on our knees long before we hear the lions’ roars. Power on our knees is won in our faithful surrender to God day after day.

— William E. Richardson is senior pastor of Afton (Iowa) Assembly of God.