In The Lion's Den
Trust is the foundation of every relationship. Trust that you are in the Father's hands on the days of your life whether you are feeling His presence or facing time in the Lion's den.
“Do not deprive the foreigner or the fatherless of justice, or take the cloak of the widow as a pledge. When you are harvesting in your field and you overlook a sheaf, do not go back to get it. Leave it for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you beat the olives from your trees, do not go over the branches a second time. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow. When you harvest the grapes in your vineyard, do not go over the vines again. Leave what remains for the foreigner, the fatherless and the widow.”
Deuteronomy 24:5, 10-17, 19-21
One way God asks us to trust Him is by how we steward what we have been given. God always commands us to look beyond ourselves and see how our choices impact others. Who does God most want us to make sure we help? The people who most need help. This might sound like an obvious statement, but it is the people who most need help that are most often overlooked. Look around, who do you see that is experiencing the greatest suffering or is most marginalized by the structures of our society? How could you help?
God wants to show you the principle of the double blessing. The double blessing occurs when we learn to see that all that we have is a blessing from God and we have the ability to use what we have been given to bless others. Do you see how this passage demonstrates this principle? God promises to provide and then He provides. The world teaches us to make sure we get every last piece of fruit and count every penny so that we could accumulate possessions. God teaches us that it is better to have margin in our life and see how out of the abundance we have been given we have an opportunity to impact those around us. Is there anywhere in your budget that you could see in your own abundance, your second harvest, where you could bless others? It is in how we live out our generosity and the principle of the double blessing that we demonstrate our trust in Jesus.
“The Lord is my light and my salvation— whom shall I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life— of whom shall I be afraid?Though an army besiege me, my heart will not fear; though war break out against me, even then I will be confident. One thing I ask from the Lord, this only do I seek: that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to gaze on the beauty of the Lord and to seek him in his temple. For in the day of trouble he will keep me safe..Teach me your way, Lord; lead me in a straight path because of my oppressors. I remain confident of this: I will see the goodness of the Lord in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord.”
Psalms 27:1-5, 7-8, 11, 13-14
David has a wise practice that he employs to stand firm in his faith. He looks at his life through the lens of what is true and what is false. He labels and reflects on what he sees then holds it up to the light of truth. It is true that David faces hard times and has enemies. It is false to think he needs to be afraid of them. Is there anything you are facing that makes you afraid? Have you asked God how you should look at it and if you need to be afraid? David doesn't say if he has trouble, he says in the day of trouble. We will have days of trouble, but we do not ever have to dwell in the house of fear.
The truth is that God is with David. The truth is as David trusts God through his trials that God gets the glory when David sees victory. The truth is David does not have all the answers so he humbles his ways to God's ways. The enemy of your life wants you to lean on your own understanding and speed up. Don't we make the most mistakes when we rush through life. Paul said love is patient in the letter to the people of Corinth. David declares the truth that it is better to wait on the Lord than hurry when you hear the voice of fear. Waiting may be hard, but it testifies that we trust in the Lord. Where do you need to wait on the Lord? Would you not benefit from seeking time with God by dwelling and abiding more than worrying about the outcome of your greatest fear?
“By wisdom a house is built, and through understanding it is established; through knowledge its rooms are filled with rare and beautiful treasures. Surely you need guidance to wage war, and victory is won through many advisers. Eat honey, my son, for it is good; honey from the comb is sweet to your taste. Know also that wisdom is like honey for you: If you find it, there is a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off. Do not gloat when your enemy falls; when they stumble, do not let your heart rejoice, or the Lord will see and disapprove and turn his wrath away from them. Fear the Lord and the king, my son, and do not join with rebellious officials,”
Proverbs 24:3-4, 6, 13-14, 17-18, 21
What would happen if we chose to look at our lives as something that God is building through us rather than as a journey to a destination? The world talks about the road to success. Jesus said bring the kingdom and build up love in the world. There is a house that we can participate in building with the time we have, the treasure we have been given, and our talents that will glorify God. Solomon says that your life is like a house that is meant to be built by wisdom. You would never start to build a house without having a vision, counting the cost, finding the trustworthy contractors or subcontractors, and getting the proper permitting. What is the vision that God has for your life? What will it cost you and who will help you build it? Solomon says victory is won through many advisors. Who in your life speaks wisdom and truth to you? Are you open to feedback? Would you want to know if there was an area that was going to collapse because the house was not properly supported?
Solomon says you have a promised future and a hope. God is building something special with your life. You are uniquely and wonderfully made. Part of building the house is looking at the blueprints of both our house and beyond. When we fear God we are stepping back to look at the bigger picture of how our house fits within the local community and broader world. Asking for God's guidance out of reverence is one way we trust God in the waiting so we can see how He is working. Have you taken the time to step back and ask God how your home fits within His kingdom?
“Now Daniel so distinguished himself..that the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before...they said to the king, “Daniel...pays no attention to you...When the king heard this, he was greatly distressed; he was determined to rescue Daniel and made every effort until sundown to save him...The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den...I 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. He rescues and he saves; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth."
Daniel 6:3-4, 7, 10-11, 13-14, 16, 18-24, 26-28
Do you trust God? What would you do if you were facing the lion's den? How have you reacted to the pressures of life all around you? The lion's den did not dissuade Daniel, it only strengthened his resolve. Do you see what he did? Daniel was defiant! He opened the windows and prayed continually. Imagine all the people who saw Daniel and who he influenced that you don't read about in the story. Our acts of faith will inspire faith in others. Did Daniel give in when he stood accused? No. Daniel trusted God's plan and God's promises. He stayed true and God delivered him.
How would you view the story if God had not saved him? Would God be any less majestic or graceful? There are countless stories of faithful people who have been martyred while staying faithful to God. One of the hard questions we face as followers of Christ is why some people are delivered from the lion's den when others are not. This is where faith comes in. At some point you have to make a decision. Do I trust God or not? Do I believe His words when He says my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts are higher than your thoughts? God is faithful not because He rescues from the den but because of who He is. Our faith cannot rest on whether the circumstances of our life go the way we want. Daniel is inspirational because he prayed openly, loved God fully, and served faithfully while facing the lion's den without knowing how things would end on earth. This is real trust and this is where building our lives on the solid rock make all the difference. When the storms of life come and the winds blow, we will not be shaken as we declare like David did that dwelling in the house of the Lord is what matters most, trusting that Jesus will never leave us nor forsake us.
This story does have a Disney ending. Daniel is rescued, the evil perpetrators do reap what they sowed, and king Darius glorifies the God in Heaven. We might not always see Disney endings during our time on earth, but we will always be delivered by the God who delivers those who believe in Him.
“Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things. Whatever you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into practice. And the God of peace will be with you. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength.”
Philippians 4:4-9, 12-13
Paul's fourth chapter of his letter to the people in Philippi is one of the most famous passages in scripture. It has the power to change your life giving you peace, power, and greater awareness of the presence of God through all that you will face. Paul is not writing a pithy note of encouragement to people who have easy lives of comfort. He is writing to the people who are in the fire and facing the lion's den every day. In the darkest days of World War II, Winston Churchill said "Never, never, never, never, never give up." It was a simple inspiring message to help firm up the resolve of the country to keep on fighting. You might need a message like that today. Maybe you need to hear that it will be okay and things will work out. If so, hold on to the hope you have in Jesus.
Paul's message is different from Winston's. Paul doesn't say don't give up. He doesn't say avoid failure or giving in to the fear. Paul takes the offensive. He wants to see the kingdom come and the house of God built. Paul says something so much greater. He says trust God. He says rejoice! At first glance his encouragement seems irrational until you step back and remember that the God who raised Jesus Christ from the dead has personally promised you His presence, His power, and His peace. This is worthy rejoicing.
After preaching vision, Paul steps into the practical. He shares the how. Isn't this the question we most often ask? How do we live out a life of faith trusting God? Paul says pray about everything with thanksgiving. How might that be different than how you are currently praying? What does it mean to pray with thanksgiving? David showed us in psalms 27 that it means to give God thanks for all He has already done and give thanks for what He is going to do. It is the and/both of prayer. Jesus, thank you for saving my soul and giving me new life and I thank you for how you will give me the strength I need for today.
Paul says what you think about matters. If you think about your fears then you will be afraid, but if you think about the things of God, those things that are praiseworthy, noble, excellent and lovely then your mind will be dwelling in the house of God. We have a choice. Isn't what Paul says so practical and applicable? If you think about peaceful things you will have peace. If you think about scary things you will be scared. The bible says as a person thinks in their heart so it is. What are you going to think about today?
Paul says that trusting God is not about your external circumstances, but is shown through your internal transformation. Paul says you can be in the lion's den or living the lap of luxury, what matters is your heart. Paul says you can do all things through Christ who strengthens you. Have you declared this truth today? I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. Sing it out loud with a heart that rejoices like king Darius did when he saw Daniel rescued from the den. We were made to worship whether we are in the midst of hard times or raising a hallelujah. Jesus came to resurrect us. He gave us the Holy Spirit so that we could be bold like Daniel with windows wide open, rejoicing at all times like David, praying through everything like Solomon, receiving the peace of Christ like Paul, and empowered to transform the world like Jesus. You can do all things as you learn to love God with all your heart, mind, and strength found in Christ Jesus.