In the Old Testaments we are introduced to Daniel. He was a Jewish kid taken into captivity in Babylon. This was a normal thing for an occupying force to do. They would kidnap young men of the nobility and raise them in a bit of luxury in the hopes that they would start siding with their captors. And they could then go back to the people in a few years as “one of them” saying, “sure, they invaded and enslaved most of us, but they’re not so bad.” Daniel and the others were given much better food and lodging than you would usually expect when you’re kidnapped by the bad guys.
Daniel knew the trap that was laid before him. It would be very easy to succumb to the temptation of being fed from the king’s table. It was all the best food and best wine. But Daniel stayed resolute. He and his friends ate only vegetables and drank water. Through acting righteously and being helpful Daniel is raised to a position of authority. Making some of the Babylonians jealous that he was trying to replace them.
They tell the king that Daniel is worshiping God instead of worshiping the king, and this gets him into all kinds of trouble. The king is so angry that he decides to punish Daniel by throwing him into a den filled with hungry lions. You may have heard this one before; Daniel spends the whole night in there and remains perfectly safe. The King is so shocked and amazed that God would save Daniel in this way that he falls down to worship.
The king in Daniel 6:26-27 says,
26 I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel,
for he is the living God,
enduring forever;
his kingdom shall never be destroyed,
and his dominion shall be to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues;
he works signs and wonders
in heaven and on earth,
he who has saved Daniel
from the power of the lions.”
You may not be kidnapped, you may not be thrown into a lion’s den, but the struggles of life can still feel like they are beating down your door every day. In these times I hope you can hold on to the reminder that our living God endures forever! The God who saved Daniel from the power of lions, is working to save you too.