Article written by: Sister Diane Prince
So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. Daniel 6:23 (NIV)
Daniel demonstrates to us the importance of having a regular prayer life, and the significance of trusting all our circumstances to God. He was a man who prayed consistently. The Bible says like clockwork, he prayed three times a day. One day, the King passed a declaration saying anyone who prayed to a God other than the king was going to be put to death. The Bible says when Daniel knew that the decree was signed into law, he entered his house and opened his windows toward Jerusalem. He prayed and gave thanks like he had always done. As a result, Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den.
Daniel did not change his daily routine when the king passed a law to outlaw public prayer. He did not panic. He did not fret, and he did not waver in his prayer life. Amid Daniel’s dilemma, the Bible says when Daniel was sentenced to death for defying the King’s decree, he depended on God. Because of his unwavering trust in God, God sent angels into the den to shut the lion’s mouths and spare Daniel’s life.
God could have easily touched the Kings heart and spared Daniel from the lion’s den. However, God does not always deliver us from danger, but He protects us in the midst of danger. God will sometimes allow us to be put in the lion’s den, so He can show us His sovereignty and reveal to us His infinite power.
There have been so many times in my life when I did not know what to pray. Yet, because I believed God’s Word and I trusted Him with whatever came throughout the day, God has always given me just what I needed. He has not always given me what I wanted, but He has always worked things out. And, in working things out, God has shown me that he is the source of all power. By following the instruction found in His Word, I can accomplish far greater things with him leading me than I can with my own abilities.
As I look back on where I’ve come from, there were many times when I wondered how I was going to make it. But, God has proven himself to be dependable and he has shown up every time. The Psalmist says, “The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles. – Psalm 34:17. This scripture is so true. God hears the prayers of his children and he answers in life changing ways.
God’s ways are beyond our understanding and his power is beyond our ability to measure. God already knows our needs and desires, but he wants us to pray, as an expression of our dependence on and reverence for Him. God moves when his people pray. James declares, “The prayer of a righteous man availeth much”. Your prayers are powerful, and your prayers are effective. When you lift your hands up toward heaven and shout, “Father I stretch my hands to thee, no other help I know, if thou withdraw thyself from me, O whether shall I go.” God listens. God answers. And, God moves.
There are times when God will give you exactly what you ask. And there are times when God will allow you to be thrown into the lion’s den. Be glad for the prayers that were answered in your life. Also, be glad for the prayers that were not answered. If God gave you everything you asked for, it would limit your perspective of who He is. If He said “yes” to everything you desire, it would prevent you from getting the best He has for you. If God only gave you what you can express in your own words, it would limit the manifestation of the plans He has for your life.
Obedience may land you in the lion’s den. However, embrace your “lion’s den” experiences. Why? God has dispatched angels all around you to protect you from harm. He is setting you up to experience His sovereign power, His control over all people, and His authority over all things. God is using your “lion’s den” to show you first hand that He gets the final word.
When unexpected things happen, all is not lost. Draw strength from going through the tough times. Toughen up when being knocked around by the issues of life. Why? God is with you in your darkest hour. He is the light in your darkness. He is holding you steadfast. He is walking with you every step of the way. He remains with you and protects you until He brings you out of your lion’s den.
Obedience is powerful. It is the pathway to victory.
More daily inspiration can be found in the book Stronger and Wiser by Dianne Prince.