Daniel

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I want to thank everyone for allowing me to take the last few weeks off. Danno and Will have done a great job and we will be reading more of their thoughts in the future. However, I want to get back to the Bible heroes of mine. I think I often forget that these were flesh and blood people. I feel I view them through rose colored glasses sometimes. I can’t imagine them doubting or failing at anything. Lets not forget that these people we hold as heroes of the faith were just flesh and blood with remarkable faith in the infinite God.
Below may not be exactly accurate. However, it is conceivable.



The smell of dung and wild animals filled his nostrils as he sat in the cool damp darkness. Unable to see even a few feet in front of him he huddled in the corner of the den. How had he gotten thrown in to the pit? He was only doing what he had done his entire life. Innocent of any wrong doing he prayed as he waited for the lions to devour him. He recalled how king Darius was willing to forgive him for his law breaking act but the law had been sealed by the Medes and the Persians and was unbreakable even by the king. The king had fallen into a trap of pride and it had cost him the life of his friend. The guards walked this prisoner to the mouth of the lions den.
The King called out to the prisoner as he is thrown into the den, “perhaps your God can save you from the lions.”
Falling to the floor of the den the man crawled to the corner as the gate closed behind him. The heavy breathing of the hungry lions threatened to overcome the faith of the man huddled in the corner. Drops of sweat soaked his clothes and he buried his face in his hands calling out to his God. But the man in the den was not the only one seeking Gods divine grace. The king spent the night sleepless and in prayer for his friend. Through the night the king paced not knowing what might become of this man of God.

The roar of the lions kept many in the city awake that night. The men who had designed the law to trick the king into killing this innocent man also spent the night in sleepless worry. These men knew that if the innocent man was eaten by the lions the king would know he had been tricked and may come for them. But, if somehow the man isn’t eaten by the lions the king might still retaliate against them.

The suspense of the king was more then he could bear as he paced and prayed.

The fear that gripped the hearts of the evildoers kept them frozen and questioning whether to run out of the city or take a chance and wait for dawn.

The faith of the lions den prisoner grew with the passing of each moment that he was alive. The feeling of not being alone in the dark den became more real as he continued to pray. The lions became quiet and the prisoner’s prayers became audible to anyone standing outside the den.
Peace gradually overcame the fear that had stolen his ability to think clearly.
Then he recalled his friends who had miraculously been rescued by God from a fiery furnace.
They had believed in God and his ability to save them from the fire. They stood and told the king “you can throw us in the fire but our God is able to save us from the fire. If He doesn’t we will not serve your gods nor worship the image of gold you have set up.”

The darkness slowly lost the battle with the dawn and the king ran from his chamber calling for the guards to follow him to the lions den. His sandals slapping the cold stone pavement as he ran. On approaching the den the king called into the still dark den.

“Daniel, has your God delivered you.“


Daniel answered, "O 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, O king."


Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language throughout the land:
"May you prosper greatly!
26 "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.
27 He rescues and he saves;
he performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel
from the power of the lions."
Daniel was and is a great man of God. But lets not forget, he was flesh and blood just as we are. So I have to ask myself,
Do I have the faith of Daniel?
Do you have the faith of Daniel?

Remember to always ride the narrow road, and come back and see us again

Your traveling companion,
Larry