Sunday, August 16, 2020

Shut Their Mouths

 You are probably familiar with the account of Daniel in the lion's den.  Daniel was a man who loved God and was determined to be faithful to God, no matter what the consequences were.  When he was set up to be put to death, for remaining faithful and praying to God, things did not look good for him.  Events and onlookers would have never thought there was any way out for him.  This was the end of him.  He was finished.  Those lions were hungry and Daniel was going to be their next meal.  

I can imagine Daniel being led to this hole in the ground, inside of which the lions were kept, and from which there was no escape.  I think the soldiers who were tasked with leading the prisoners to their death sentence didn't even want to get close to the lions, for fear of their own lives being lost.  We're told they "threw" Daniel into the lion's den, and those soldiers are sure that is the last they will see of him.  Those lions are going to tear him into pieces and even fight over the pieces while they're at it.

Are you aware that there are circumstances and situations in your life right now that the enemy of your soul, the devil, has meant to be the end of you.  These things are meant to trip or trap you.  The devil wants to tear you apart, spiritually.  Paul also painted a picture of the devil as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.  The enemy wants to attack and seize your peace. He wants to devour your faith.  He wants to tear into your righteousness.  He wants to slice into you and mutilate you so you think the Word of God can't reach you.

But God.

God had another plan.  

God was not absent.

Before Daniel ever approached the lion's den, God had already placed an angel there.  An angel with the power and authority to completely close the mouths of the lions.  I've seen artistic interpretations of this scene where Daniel snuggles up to the lions and sleeps comfortably like with a tame kitty.  I think maybe this isn't what it looked like at all.  Those lions wanted to eat Daniel.  I think their mouths may have been closed but their eyes were fixed on what they wanted to be their next meal. They may have circled and paced around Daniel all night.  Daniel saw the hunger and desire in their eyes, but sat untouched by them.  

Those circumstances and situations that the enemy has meant for your harm and destruction?  God being with you does not mean those situations will vanish, but it does mean that they cannot devour you!  Your heavenly Father has sent angels to guard and protect you.  It reminds me of what Moses told the people in Exodus 14 (when surrounded by inescapable doom): 

"Fear not, stand firm, and see the salvation of the Lord, which he will work for you today. For the Egyptians whom you see today, you shall never see again. The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.”

Daniel may have slept peacefully, in spite of the lion's hungry eyes and hot breath, knowing that the God who shut the lion's mouth would never leave him. The king who was responsible for the law that committed Daniel to death did not sleep well that night.  Before the soldiers threw Daniel in, the king said what could be considered a prayer, "May your God rescue you!"  So he did know something about God, and at the first light of morning he went to the lion's den, anxious to see if Daniel was alive.  IF he was alive?  How could anyone be alive?  Obviously this king was already familiar with what Daniel's God could do.  And in fact he said, "has your God, the LIVING GOD, been able to rescue you?"  

"And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God."

If you feel like you are staring at circumstances right now that are going to tear you apart, I want to tell you that the living, almighty, powerful God has already gone before you. You may have to stand and see those hungry eyes and feel that hot, stale lion breath, and you may spend a night in the dark of the lion's den, but you will come out.  You will come out of the lion's den in one piece. If you trust in God.  That's how we get through these situations.  We must trust.

I found this page with several verses about trusting God with our battles.  You may be encouraged to read these verses too:  https://www.openbible.info/topics/the_battle_is_not_yours

God Bless You,

Lisa