God 1 v Lions 0

By Jenniffer Mann

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Did you know that lions are said to be amongst the deadliest of all predators! Male lions can weigh up to 225kg and females up to 150kg. They can run up to speeds of 81kmph and are capable of hunting and killing prey of up to 1000lbs in weight. That is the equivalent of a small horse, cow or bear! 

Lions can go up to four days without drinking water, but they need to eat every day. Adult female lions need to eat about 11 pounds of meat each day, while adult males eat 16 pounds or more every day. Whilst not the norm, they have been known to hunt humans. Even knowing these basic facts about Lions, makes the biblical story of Daniel in the lions’ den all the more impressive.

By way of a brief synopsis, Daniel and many of his fellow Jews were no longer living in the Promised Land of Canaan, but in Babylon. The Babylonian Empire had crushed all its enemies. Daniel was determined to remain loyal to the one true God even when King Darius, spurred on by his jealous advisors, decreed that for 30 days everyone had to pray to the Persian King. Daniel, who was always law-abiding up to this point, continues to pray to Israel’s God as he has always done. 

The king’s insidious advisors, intent on turning Daniel in, reported him to King Darius, who despite his better judgement, is forced to put Daniel into a den of lions where he would be torn to pieces. King Darius is greatly distressed about having to punish Daniel, and he says to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you”. 

Bearing in mind that lions have to eat every day, and a considerable amount at that, the outcome seems inevitable! However, God sends His angel to shut the mouths of the lions so they do not harm him and much to the relief of the king, Daniel is removed unharmed the next day from the den.

It was Daniel’s unwavering faith and determination to serve God no matter the situation, that makes such a strong statement in this story. That and the fact that God delivered him directly from the hands of his enemies.

You may be in the midst of a very difficult situation right now. Do you need to be rescued from the grip of grief, the darkness of depression? Are you struggling with an eating disorder, low self-esteem, a dependence on medication or drugs, or some type of destructive behaviour? It may be that you feel persecuted by your peers for faith in God.

The same God who rescued Daniel from those lions will rescue you!

God wants you to believe in His ability to turn your situation around. We are told in Deuteronomy 31:6 that God will never leave us nor forsake us. What a wonderful and comforting promise!

Carry this with you in the week ahead when you need to be reminded that God is your way out and remember that if God has allowed you to face your enemy head on, it is because He wants to demonstrate His love, majesty and amazing grace! 

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Let’s Pray

Father God, I thank you for reminding me, that you are the one true God! You are the same God today that saved Daniel from den of lions and I need you to save me from my situation now. Father God, please reveal to me your power and magnificence. I ask this humble prayer in the precious name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.