Faith in the Lion’s Den

And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

ALL THINGS? We find it so easy to quote this verse but believing it and living it is not as easy, especially when you are in the lion’s den. Daniel was in the lion’s den because of His relationship with the Living God, not like the dead idols worshipped in Babylon.

King Darius had learned to appreciate Daniel and was very concerned thinking he would be dead. He went to the den and shouted down to him. Daniel said, My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lion’s mouths, that they have not hurt me (Daniel 6:22). “MY GOD” reveals the personal relationship that Daniel had with God. Note God’s assessment of Daniel’s condition in verse 23. So, Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God.

NO MANNER OF HURT – If God be for us, who can be against us (Romans 8:31), even in a den of hungry lions.

There are times when we look at our circumstances as dire or so dreadful that there is no possible hope, we think, for any change. The way some of the newscasters speak of the Coronavirus, you would think that we are all going to die of it. Some of those who get it are convinced that they will die. Others fear getting it!

We all recognize that there will always be some circumstances over which we have no control. Amid these troubles or trials, our thinking is very critical. Some of us suffer defeat going into the lion’s dens of life while others are victorious, knowing that greater is He that is in you, than he that is in the world (I John 4:4). The words of Jesus in Matthew 19:26 should occupy our thinking during any negative experience. With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible (Matthew 19:26).

In Acts 20, Paul had every reason to quit the ministry. Death was only a moment away and yet God still had a ministry for him in Rome. Instead of giving up, Paul said, But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God (Acts 20:24). We do not have to give up with the idea “that this is end.” God has a plan for every believer and none of us will go home to meet Him until we complete that plan. Are you following God’s plan for your life?

Paul, realizing God’s plan in his own life writes us: Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye stedfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labor is not in vain in the Lord (1 Corinthians 15:58). Circumstances, including lion dens, cannot stop or defeat those who know that God plans for all things to contribute to His glory. We can always triumph in Christ.

John Bunyan wrote his immortal Pilgrim’s Progress in prison on milk bottle stoppers. He did not give up because of his circumstances and was unstoppable. Milton did his great work, Paradise Lost, and Paradise Regained while he was blind. Fanny Crosby wrote hundreds of beautiful hymns in total darkness. Job, amid unbelievable circumstances heard his wife counsel him to curse God and die. He later stated, Though He slay me, yet will I trust in Him (Job 13:15).

The lion’s den should never communicate that we quit. If quitting and giving up is your desire, you can be certain that Satan will assist you even though he is a defeated enemy. Instead, we must believe God’s Word – We are more than conquerors through Him that loved us (Romans 8:37). For with God nothing shall be impossible (Luke 1:37). But without faith it is impossible to please Him: for he that cometh to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of them that diligently seek Him (Hebrews 11:6). Jesus said, For without me ye can do nothing (John 15:5). Our responsibility is to believe God’s Word and act on that belief.

Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego were forced into the fiery furnace. The heat was so great that the men who forced them into the furnace perished themselves. Still, Shadrack, Meshach, and Abednego did not surrender their lives to hopelessness. Instead, they said to the king, If it be so, our God Whom we serve is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and He will deliver us out of thine hand, O King. But if not, be it known unto thee, O king, that we will not serve thy gods, nor worship the golden image which thou has set up (Daniel 3:17, 18).

God rewarded their faith and will reward ours if we implicitly trust Him regardless of what our circumstances might appear to be. Do you truly believe His Word? Does your relationship with Him in your prayer life back up that belief? That was Daniel’s secret to victory and it is ours as we truly trust the Lord. Quit looking at the bleak side of life and trust Him now!

George Stiekes is a retired pastor. He currently resides in North Carolina and blogs at Reverent Reflections. We recommend his ministry and republish his material by permission.