Daniel was without guile, the king was going to appoint him over all other rulers in his kingdom. Until, the “leaders” at that time proved they were green with envy. Envious enough to have Daniel thrown to the lions. For what crime? Because he faithfully prayed to Yahweh three times a day. They maliciously thought, “we will have everyone pray to the ‘king’, knowing Daniel will not.” The king was tricked into executing his best employee.

What was Daniel’s response? He kept doing what he knew was right, honoring the first commandment. (No other gods before YHWH)

He is not called the “only wise God” for nothing, He deserves glory. He rescued Daniel because He was the ultimate judge (not the “leaders”). He determined that Daniel was innocent and therefore protected him.

God shut the mouths of the lions. He can also shut the mouths of any devouring Spirit, hell-bent on destruction. Have I put Him first in my allegiance? Have I trusted my vulnerable life to His authoritative outcome?

This was my 3rd week of attending coping skills. I learned that the unbidden emotions that sometimes erupt out of nowhere can actually be useful and reveal what the “hot oven” is in my circumstances. Can I change it or do I ultimately have the peace/ability to accept it?

I think Daniel was able to accept his fate because he knew that God was the ultimate authority. #strengthened

His “fate” ended up being a tremendous display of glory to God. #victory #justice #peace- Teresa

Romans 16:25 (ESV)

²⁵ Now to him who is able to strengthen you according to my gospel and the preaching of Jesus Christ, according to the revelation of the mystery that was kept secret for long ages ²⁶ but has now been disclosed and through the prophetic writings has been made known to all nations, according to the command of the eternal God, to bring about the obedience of faith— ²⁷ to the only wise God be glory forevermore through Jesus Christ! Amen.

Daniel 6: 19-27 (NET)

In the morning, at the earliest sign of daylight, the king got up and rushed to the lions’ den. 20 As he approached the den, he called out to Daniel in a worried voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, was your God whom you continually serve able to rescue you from the lions?” 21
Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! 22My God sent his angel and closed the lions’ mouths so that they have not harmed me, because I was found to be innocent before him. Nor have I done any harm to you, O king.” 23
Then the king was delighted and gave an order to haul Daniel up from the den. So Daniel was hauled up out of the den. He had no injury of any kind, because he had trusted in his God. 24 The king gave another order, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the lions’ den – they, their children, and their wives. They did not even reach the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones. 25
Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and language groups who were living in all the land: “Peace and prosperity! 26 I have issued an edict that throughout all the dominion of my kingdom people are to revere and fear the God of Daniel.
“For he is the living God;
he endures forever.
His kingdom will not be destroyed;
his authority is forever. 27
He rescues and delivers
and performs signs and wonders
in the heavens and on the earth.
He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions!”