Intro: As human beings created by God and made in His image, we tend to have an awareness when we have not aligned with the will of the Lord. Certainly, we can sear our consciences by demanding our own way, but sometimes we are just ignorant about the power of our decisions to lead us away from God. This may take our souls to a place of unrest—uneasiness, sleeplessness, turmoil—so, we wander looking for peace.
I believe God allows us these wrestling experiences with our souls to help us find a deeper knowledge of Him and who He is as our Prince of Peace. Think about it this way, if we never experience unrest or turmoil in our souls, we will not look or reach for the Peace only God can give. He wants more for us and to enjoy more with us. Therefore, God promises to use all things for our good when we love Him and are called according to his purpose for us (Ro 8:28) Do you see how times of unrest in your life have been God’s way to draw you closer to Himself?
In our passage today, king Darius has spent a night in turmoil; waiting to see if Daniel’s God protected and delivered him from death while in the lion’s den. When the king finds Daniel alive, he implements justice by taking action against the envious administrators who sought to trick him into killing Daniel. Then, the king makes a righteous decree for everyone to worship Daniel’s God. So, what the enemy meant for destruction, God used to increase righteousness for his glory. God has promised to faithfully protect his servants and Daniel’s story reminds us of his power and ability to do so.
Daniel 6:19-28 NLT
19 Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. 20 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?”
21 Daniel answered, “Long live the king! 22 My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”
23 The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.
24 Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.
25 Then King Darius sent this message to the people of every race and nation and language throughout the world: “Peace and prosperity to you!
26 “I decree that everyone throughout my kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.
For he is the living God, and he will endure forever.His kingdom will never be destroyed, and his rule will never end.
27
He rescues and saves his people; he performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth.He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.”
28 So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Prayer: Lord, you are the God of all miracles and you can shut the mouths of lions and destroy evil according to your word and will to save. Thank you for protecting us by the Truth as we live the Truth in Christ. In Jesus’ name. Amen.