The Lord loves every individual and groups and communities as a whole. His love for His people both individuals and nations is enormous. There are umpteen instances in the Bible where the Lord has rescued His people in impossible situations. We will learn from the following outstanding instance, the great greatness of our Living God.
Daniel was an upright man and found favour in the eyes of God. He led a God-fearing life and served the Lord wholeheartedly. God blessed him abundantly and he rose to a very high position. The King was very happy with Daniel and wanted to promote him next to himself. This made all the nobles and high-ranking officers envious of Daniel. To frustrate and thwart the efforts of the King, they decided to trap Daniel and made an elaborate plan. Therefore, they told the king that no one should worship any god for the next thirty days except the king. If found violating the decree, then they will be cast in the den of lions. The king agreed to the proposal of the noblemen.
Daniel 6:8-9 “Now, O king, establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 9 Wherefore king Darius signed the writing and the decree.” This did not deter Daniel and He continued to pray to God three times a day. This fact was known to the nobles and princes. Daniel 6:11 “Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.” They therefore went to the king told Him about Daniel and demanded that Daniel should be thrown in the den of lions. The king was heartbroken and tried his level best to save Daniel but in vain as the princes and noblemen insisted that the decree be implemented.
Daniel 6:16-17 “Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17 And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel.” The king went to the palace with a heavy heart and passed a sleepless night.
Daniel 6:19-22 “Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21 Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live forever. 22 My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.” The king was overjoyed and commanded that Daniel be taken out of the lion's den. The king then commanded that those men be brought and along with their families be cast in the den of lions. Even before they reached the ground, the lions tore them to pieces. The king proclaimed the God of Daniel as the ‘living God’ throughout his empire.
Dr Ashwin Drummond
Laddertoheaven.co.in