INTRODUCTION
Daniel was placed in the lions’ den. A stone was placed in front of the den. It was sealed with the king’s signet ring which meant it was not to be opened except in the presence of the king. Daniel, now about 90 years old, finds himself in a den of lions, we are not told how many lions, but the impression we are left with is that they are many lions in this den. We get that from when the enemies of Daniel are throw into the pit, they are dead before they hit the ground. And also, in this pit with Daniel is one angel God calls His angel which I believe to be Jesus Christ. I believe that it was Jesus Christ because of what Daniel says in verse 22 “I was found innocent before Him”. We are not held accountable to angels; we are held accountable to Jesus Christ. This is all taking place because Daniel had some spiritual backbone, and he was not going to let a law that the king was tricked into signing prevent him from serving his God.
If you think about it, what an extraordinary scene was unfolding in Babylon that day- a man of God doing the right thing gets thrown into a den of lions. Yes indeed, bad things can happen to God’s people; the king, the most powerful man in the country, cannot do anything to help Daniel because a law signed by the king cannot be revoked, and the enemies of Daniel are just sitting back smiling thinking that they are getting the upper hand. And then, our God shows up at the right time and right place to change the course of events. I guess the best way to say it that my God is a right on time God. Wow, what a might God we serve!
And if you don’t mind, what I thought I would do today is brag on the power of my God.
SCRIPTURE
Daniel 6:18–24 (NKJV)
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also, his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 Now the king was exceedingly 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 injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
POINT #1
MY GOD HAS THE POWER TO DISTURB THE CONSCIENE OF UNBELIEVERS AND BELIEVERS ALIKE. WOW WHAT A MIGHTY GOD I SERVE!
(18) 18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also, his sleep went from him.
Have you ever had a restless night because something you did or something that you have said has bothered you? You are laying there wide awake because you know that you got to try to correct it first thing in the morning.
King Darius is having one of those restless nights. He realizes now that he has been tricked by his governors and satraps to have Daniel put to death. And he cannot figure a way to fix it. And it is bothering him. He cannot sleep thinking what is happening to my friend, Daniel. Darius knows Daniel is a good man who does not deserve to die, but here I am, I am the one who sentenced him to death by signing that law.
God has the power to touch peoples’ conscience to turn their hearts. Just so you know, the conscience can be defined as that small voice you hear. God is using that little, small voice in Darius’ life to give him an opportunity to turn his life to Jesus.
Have you ever felt that convicting spirit of God speaking to your conscience? I can tell you it can keep you awake.
POINT #2
MY GOD HAS THE POWER TO DEMAND EVEN THE WILDEST OF ANIMALS TO OBEY HIM. WOW, WHAT A MIGHTY GOD I SERVE.
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
Do you think that God had to fight with the lions the whole time that Daniel was in the lion’s den? I don’t believe that God had a whip and chair, and He is fighting back those lions. I believe that God gave the command to the lions that Daniel is off limits, and they are not to come near Daniel because the Scripture says not a scratch was found on him. And the lions did just as Jesus had commanded.
I believe I remember a passage of Scripture in one of the Gospel accounts where the disciples marveled because the wind and the sea obeyed His command.
If the wind and the sea will obey the voice of the Lord, it does not much imagination to believe that lions will obey Him also.
Only our God has the power over all things.
Colossians 1:16–17 (NKJV)
16 For by Him all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or principalities or powers. All things were created through Him and for Him. 17 And He is before all things, and in Him all things consist.
Point #3
MY GOD HAS THE POWER TO DELIVER HIS PEOPLE NO MATTER HOW BIG OF A MESS THEY FIND THEMSELVES IN. WOW, WHAT A MIGHTY GOD I SERVE!
22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
Think about it. Sometimes we find ourselves in the biggest mess because we made it all by ourselves. Other times we find ourselves in the biggest mess because other people have made it and we stepped right into it.
Daniel certainly did not create the mess that he found himself. Somebody else created that mess for the purpose of trapping Daniel in it.
I don’t care if I made the mess or someone else made the mess and I stepped in it, my God can deliver me. He can either take be out of the mess or see me through the mess. If God wanted, He could have rolled away the stone and allowed Daniel to exit the lions’ den- taking him out of the mess. But instead, the Lord saw Daniel through it. It says that God sent His angel, and I believe it was Jesus Christ who came in the appearance of an angel and spent the night in the lions’ den with Daniel. With God by his side no lion was going to come dear Daniel. So, the Lord saw Daniel through this situation.
In my life, many times it is God walking me through the mess rather than taking me out of it. In your life, it may be the other way. Either way my God can deliver His people.
POINT #4
MY GOD HAD THE POWER TO JUDGE THE WRONGS COMMITTED AGAINST HIS CHILDREN. WOW, WHAT A MIGHTY GOD I SERVE!
24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
You are saying to yourself that the Lord didn’t throw the evil officials and their families into the lion’s den, it was King Darius.
Let me remind you what Romans 13:1 says.
Romans 13:1 13 Let every soul be subject to the governing authorities. For there is no authority except from God, and the authorities that exist are appointed by God.
Make no mistake about this. King Darius threw the evil doers into the lions’ den. But he was carrying out the judgement God had for those who attempted to hurt His servant, Daniel.
God is much more effective in dealing justice than I am and that is why he tells you and I to let it go and let Him correct a wrong.
Romans 12:19 (NKJV)
19 Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, “Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.
CONCLUSION
Today as we close this sermon let your mind think of how great our God is in your life. To help you let me remind you what Romans 11:33 says.
Romans 11:33 (NKJV)
33 Oh, the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unsearchable are His judgments and His ways past finding out!
