UBF Daily Bread

GOD HAS RESCUED DANIEL FROM LIONS

Passage: Daniel 6:16~28

Key verse: 27

¹⁶So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den.^(A) The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue^(B) you!”

¹⁷A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed^(C) it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. ¹⁸Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating^(D) and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep.^(E)

¹⁹At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. ²⁰When 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?”^(F)

²¹Daniel answered, “May the king live forever!^(G) ²²My God sent his angel,^(H) and he shut the mouths of the lions.^(I) They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight.^(J) Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”

²³The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound^(K) was found on him, because he had trusted^(L) in his God.

²⁴At the king’s command, the men who had falsely accused Daniel were brought in and thrown into the lions’ den,^(M) along with their wives and children.^(N) And before they reached the floor of the den, the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.^(O)

²⁵Then King Darius wrote to all the nations and peoples of every language^(P) in all the earth:

“May you prosper greatly!^(Q)

²⁶“I issue a decree that in every part of my kingdom people must fear and reverence^(R) the God of Daniel.^(S)

“For he is the living God^(T)
    and he endures forever;^(U)
his kingdom will not be destroyed,
    his dominion will never end.^(V)
²⁷He rescues and he saves;^(W)
    he performs signs and wonders^(X)
    in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
    from the power of the lions.”^(Y)

²⁸So Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus^[a]^(Z) the Persian.^(AA)

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Footnotes

Daniel 6:28 Or Darius, that is, the reign of Cyrus

1. Could your God rescue you from the lions? (16-20)

Darius signed a decree that couldn't be repealed. Then he found he was trapped by the officials' ploy. He wanted to rescue Daniel by all means. But the helpless king had to throw Daniel into the den of lions. His last wish was a prayer, "May your God rescue you!" The king did not eat, nor go to sleep. Early the next morning he hurried to ask with an anguished voice, "Daniel, could your God rescue you from the lions?" There are moments when even mighty kings can't do anything. But the one who trusts in God can boldly decide to be thrown into the den of lions with peace.

2. God rescues and he saves! (21-28)

"Long live the king!" Daniel's victorious voice came from the den. God shut the lions' mouths for Daniel was innocent before God. He didn't do any wrong before the king. The king rejoiced. He lifted him. He then threw those false accusers with their families into the lion's den. The lions crushed them before they fell to the ground. Darius proclaimed to all people to fear God for He is living. He rescues. He saves. His kingdom lasts forever. When one person Daniel kept faith to the point of death, God's name was glorified to all people.

Prayer: Lord, you are the living God who rescues and saves. Give me such faith to trust in you to the point of death, so that your name be glorified through my life.

One Word: The living God rescues and saves