Text: Daniel 6

Dear Brethren,

"SPENT THE NIGHT FASTING…" Daniel 6:18
What an impression Daniel must have made on the King. When Daniel was thrown into the lions' den, the king knew that his life was absolutely in God's hand. Whether he survived the ordeal, or whether he would die in the lions' cave depended on this great God that Daniel had served so faithfully and courageously.

The king had to put his own seal upon the lions' den. He was not above the Law. He had to abide by the law that he had himself passed. How did he pass the night? Let us look carefully at these stirring words we read in the Scriptures.

"The king went to his palace
and spent the night fasting;
and no musicians were brought before him.
Also his sleep went from him."
Daniel 6:18

To whom did the King pray? The law was quite explicit. No one was allowed to make petition to any man or god except to the King (Daniel 6:7).

The King must have seen how vain and futile that law was. He could not pray to himself. He could not deliver Daniel from his own law! What kind of a "deity" was he if he could not even transcend his own law? The only thing he could do was to fast the whole night through. He could not eat. He could not sleep. It was a long night indeed for the King.

"THEN THE KING AROSE VERY EARLY IN THE MORNING AND WENT IN HASTE TO THE DEN OF LIONS…" Daniel 6:19
At crack of dawn, the King rushed to the den of lions. Was Daniel alive? He feared the worst. Could any God actually deliver someone from such a plight? The King "with a lamenting (tearful) voice said,

"Daniel, servant of the living God,
has your God, whom you serve continually,
been able to deliver you from the lions?"
Daniel 6:20

"THEN DANIEL SAID… MY GOD SENT HIS ANGEL AND SHUT THE LIONS' MOUTHS…" Daniel 6:22
To the great relief of the King, Daniel's voice floated up from the den of the lions. Daniel was alive! The lions did not devour Daniel! The Living God of Daniel had indeed protected him from harm!

Daniel's faith in God had not been in vain after all. What a glorious testimony Daniel maintained. How are you maintaining your testimony?

Prayerfully,                                                                             

Pastor Charlie

First released 26th August 2001, © Bethany Independent-Presbyterian Church, Singapore