Stand Firm With The Lion (Of Judah) & Stand Firm Against All Lions

This is “The Lion” I referred to in my sermon theme. And who is that? In Revelation 5, our Savior Jesus is called the Lion of Judah (Rev. 5:5). Daniel stood firm with that lion when he refused to stop praying. This form of worship was so important to Daniel that he made a habit of formally praying three times a day. He did this even though he must have been an incredibly busy man as one of the top administrators in the government. Sure, we’re busy too. But can we ever be too busy to speak with our God and to offer him our worship and praise? Can we be too busy to listen to him speak words of encouragement to us—to receive from him the assurance of his presence and forgiveness in the bread and wine, and body and blood of Holy Communion? The answer of course should be no, we are not too busy, but we often act like it. But what is really often happening is that we prioritize our work, our hobbies, and our family over God and what he has to offer. And we don’t even have the threat of a lions’ den as an excuse. Is apathy over God’s blessings getting in the way of our piety?

Apathy must have been a temptation for Daniel too, for he was a sinner just as we are. That’s why he not only thanked God in his prayers, but also asked for help (Daniel 6:11). No doubt Daniel wanted help against the lions that were awaiting in that den. But there was another lion Daniel must have been concerned about—that roaring lion Satan who is always looking to devour believers (1 Pet. 5:8). Can’t you picture Daniel praying: “Lord God, you have been with me every step of the way in Babylon. You have given me the courage to stand firm with you before. Don’t let me falter now. Help me to keep believing what the psalmist wrote that ‘Your love is better than life.’ (Psalm 63:3) Yes, for with your love I have everything: forgiveness, peace, and the promise of eternal life in heaven. Make me a bold witness for this truth to your glory even now. Amen.”

Did God answer Daniel’s prayer? He still ended up being thrown into the lions’ den, but it seems that Daniel enjoyed a better night’s sleep than the king did. King Darius knew that Daniel didn’t deserve to be thrown to the lions. He realized that he had been tricked into signing that silly edict, but a law was a law! When the king rushed out early the next morning to see if Daniel was still alive, he was greeted by Daniel’s friendly voice which assured the king that God had sent his angel to shut the mouths of the lions. This prompted King Darius to issue a decree “…that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence the God of Daniel. For he is the living God and he endures forever; his kingdom will not be destroyed, his dominion will never end. 27 He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:26-27)

Indeed, the God of Daniel, the God of the Bible is a living God who takes an active interest in the lives of his people. He not only rescued Daniel from lions who were mere animals, he also rescued Daniel and us from the roaring lion Satan. Consider what God had to do to accomplish that. Our text records how after he realized his mistake, King Darius “…was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him.” (Daniel 6:14) But is that true? Did Darius make EVERY effort to save Daniel? Could he not have offered to go into the lions’ den himself instead of Daniel? After all, it was his own foolishness that had put Daniel in that predicament. Hah! Imagine a king doing that!