July 12: JOY IN THE MORNING (part 2)

Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Daniel 6:21-22

Daniel’s greeting to the king was a standard greeting that was used to preface most any exchange between the subjects of the king and himself. But in this scenario, it was uniquely joyful. In order to speak to Daniel, who may or may not have survived the night, the king had his servants break the seal and remove the stone from the mouth of the lions’ den. It was dark down there and all was quiet. The king cried out to Daniel with a lamenting voice (v.20) in hope against hope… Then the miracle began to be revealed: “O king, live forever!” Daniel called back to the king. The standard greeting, uttered by the faithful man of God, was a prayer for his friend to be saved. The bright tone of Daniel’s voice had no hint of blame toward the king, nor did it indicate any feebleness that injuries would have caused. Joyfully Daniel continued: My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him. To be found innocent implies that Daniel was on trial. Although his enemies had accused and convicted him without a trial, the heavenly court of God Almighty had all the facts of the case. Daniel’s unwavering love relationship with the LORD, even in the dark pit of hungry lions (see 1 Peter 5:8), was readily visible to all eyes in the heavenly court.

Who was the angel—or messenger—sent by God? Lively discussions have ensued over this question, and many believe that it was the ultimate Messenger, the Commander of heaven’s angel armies. Earlier in Daniel’s book, He had come to stand with the three young Hebrews in the fiery furnace (3:25), and He has promised to be with all who trust and obey Him.

Daniel valued his good relationship with King Darius. Immediately after crediting [his] God for shut[ing] the lions’ mouths, he added: “and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” To honor and obey the God of heaven is never disrespectful of people. It is our archenemy who labors diligently (for he never takes a day off) to make obedience to God appear as evil or lacking in thoughtfulness toward people. But living for God is an example for anyone who may be watching, regardless of where they are on their spiritual journey. The Author of Life woos fallen individuals back to Himself, no matter how far they have wandered from Him. In every circumstance there are golden opportunities to follow the LORD’s leading and experience the power of His Spirit working supernatural transformation within hearts.

And what more shall I say? For the time would fail me to tell of Gideon and Barak and Samson and Jephthah, also of David and Samuel and the prophets: who through faith subdued kingdoms, worked righteousness, obtained promises, stopped the mouths of lions, quenched the violence of fire, escaped the edge of the sword, out of weakness were made strong, became valiant in battle, turned to flight the armies of the aliens. Hebrews 11:32-34