OVERCOMING THE LIONS IN OUR LIVES
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“The Lord stood by me and strengthened me… I was delivered from the mouth of the lion.” – 2 Timothy 4:17 –
What are the “lions” in your life? What “lions” are seeking to overtake you, overpower you, devour you?
We all have lions we face in our lives… trials that overwhelm us and cause us fear. Lions may beset us physically… troubles with finances, illnesses, relationships. Lions may come against us emotionally with besetting anxiety, dread, stress, discouragement.
Lions may assail us spiritually. The enemy of our souls looks for any area of our lives where we are vulnerable… and he plots his attacks accordingly. For he prowls around like a roaring lion seeking anyone he may devour (1 Peter 5:8).
Lions are rarely alone. Often their attacks come from all sides… surrounding and besieging us. We may feel as if we are sealed in a den of lions… wrestling them in our own strength. We may be falling prey to them, becoming battle weary, succumbing to their power.
“Daniel, you are a man treasured by God.” – Daniel 10:11
Daniel, a prophet in the Old Testament, bravely faced the lions in his life. As a youth, he is exiled to Babylon after Jerusalem falls to the Babylonians. King Nebuchadnezzar chooses from among the exiles young men with nobility and promise to be educated and trained in the culture, language and knowledge of Babylon. Daniel is one of the chosen.
God gives Daniel wisdom and intelligence beyond his peers. He soon advances to become an advisor to the king. Yet throughout his many years in exile, he refuses to acquiesce to the foreign culture and its pagan ways. He is unwaveringly devoted to his God. In God’s eyes, Daniel is precious, highly esteemed and greatly loved. He proves to be faithful, trustworthy… rising above the corruption of the times.
During the reign of Babylon’s next king, Darius, Daniel is recognized for his exceptional qualities. The king plans to set him in authority over the entire kingdom. The satraps, or governors, become jealous of Daniel’s rise to power and seek a way to sabotage his promotion. Yet they can find no dishonesty in this faithful man of God.
The satraps ruthlessly plot to catch Daniel in his prayerful devotions to his God. They coerce the king into issuing a decree… a decree that cannot be repealed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians…
“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.” – Daniel 6:7
Daniel is undaunted by the new law and remains steadfast in his faith. He courageously and openly prays to his invincible God, the only One who can save. When King Darius learns of Daniel’s bold defiance, he has no choice but to enforce the law. Daniel is thrown into the den of lions. The king offers him these words of hope…
“May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” – Daniel 6:16
A stone is rolled over the entrance to the den, sealed shut and marked with the king’s own signet ring of authority. Darius has a sleepless night thinking of the man who has loyally served him. At first light of dawn, he rushes to the lion’s den and calls to Daniel, asking if his God has rescued him. Daniel boldly answers…
“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.” – Daniel 6:22
God protects His treasured ones and gives them victory over evil. Even lions become docile in the presence of the Almighty One. The king is overjoyed at the news of Daniel’s rescue. For this young man has been completely shielded from injury, without a wound or claw mark on his body.
The satraps are not so fortunate. Because of their deceitful ways, they are condemned to die for their plans of treachery. They meet their fate in the same den of lions.
Daniel’s life exalts and glorifies God. King Darius is so impressed that he enacts a law demanding that all people in the kingdom fear and revere the powerful God of Daniel. The king expresses a prophetic revelation about this amazing God…
“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 6:26-27
We all face lions in our lives. Do we attempt to fight them in our own strength? Or do we trust the all-powerful Lion of Judah to fight on our behalf? Will we trust His powerful presence with us? Will we step back and allow our Lion Tamer to close their ferocious mouths?
The same God who was with Daniel is with us today. He is the One who will close the mouths of the lions we face. He protects those who seek Him… those who put Him first in their lives. We lift up our prayers in faith for His rescue to come. For the God who delivered Daniel will deliver us. He will see us to victory by His power and for His glory. We need only trust.
† Eternal Takeaway – God protects His chosen ones from the lions that come against them †
