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Day 277 Daniel 6:1 It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; 2 and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them so that the king would suffer no loss. 3 Then this Daniel distinguished himself above the governors and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him; and the king gave thought to set him over the whole realm. 4 So the governors and satraps sought to find some charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but they could find no charge or fault, because he was faithful; nor was there any error or fault found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God.” 6 So these governors and satraps thronged before the king, and said thus to him: “King Darius, live forever! 7 “All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. 8 “Now, O king, establish the decree and sign the writing, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. 10 Now when Daniel knew the writing was signed, he went home. And in his upper room, with his windows open toward Jerusalem, he knelt down on his knees three times that day, and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as was his custom since early days. 11 Then these men assembled and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. 12 And they went before the king, and spoke concerning the king’s decree: “Have you not signed a decree that every man who petitions any god or man within thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?” The king answered and said, “The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which does not alter.” 13 So they answered and said before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree you signed, but makes his petition three times a day.” 14 When the king heard these words, he was greatly displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him. He labored till the sun went down to deliver him. 15 Then these men approached the king, and said to him, “Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed.” 16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.” 17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed. 18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting. No musicians were brought before him. Also, his sleep went from him. 19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 “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.” 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad for him and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So, Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God. 24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who accused Daniel and cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives. The lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den. Jealousy can do much harm. People kill because of jealousy, go into a rage, causing more problems than necessary. The governors and satraps King Darius appointed when he took over the kingdom, caused him to write a law forcing people to pray only to the king for thirty days. They wanted to trap Daniel and have him killed. Daniel did not alter his lifestyle to please the decree but prayed to God three times a day. When the governors and satraps saw him praying, they went to the king and forced him to honor the unchangeable decree. Ashamed of the decree, King Darius could not save Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. With a sleepless night, King Darius hurried to the den and called out to Daniel to learn God shut the lions’ mouths. Unhurt, Daniel came from the den after which King Darius threw the governors and satraps and their families into the den and the lions devoured them. As Christians, you know this story well. Many of you learned it in Sunday school. It shows the power of prayer when you have unwavering faith in God to deliver you from all harm. Yet, knowing the power of prayer in Daniel’s life and how God saved him from lions, does not bring the same faith in you. Why? Have you lost faith in God’s power to save you when trouble comes your way? Don’t you realize God is the same, yesterday, today, and forever? His power to keep His children safe from harm hasn’t changed. God’s promise to shelter you from every storm Satan throws at you hasn’t changed. He will defend you, closing the mouths of lions to show you His power and glory to save and deliver you from all evil. What will it take for you to stand on God’s promises to keep you safe from harm? Do you need to face lions before you pray for deliverance? God’s arm is not too short, or His power fleeting that He cannot save you from Satan. It’s time to pray and stand on God’s promises to deliver you from evil. Remember the prayer you learned in Sunday school and pray often. Matthew 6:9 “In this manner, therefore, pray: Our Father in heaven, Hallowed be Your name. 10 Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. 11 Give us this day our daily bread. 12 And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. 13 And do not lead us into temptation but deliver us from the evil one. For Yours is the kingdom and the power and the glory forever. Amen. Do you only pray this prayer as a ritual and not pay attention to the powerful promise contained in the Lord’s Prayer? Jesus said God would deliver you from the evil one. It’s His promise. You can stand on it. What trouble do you face right now? Pray, believing God to deliver you from Satan. Let’s pray: Father, help me stand on Your promise to deliver me from every accusation Satan brings against me. Let people find me praying instead of giving in to fear. In Jesus’ name, I pray. Amen. Copyright © 18 March 2022 by Valerie Routhieaux Image courtesy of Pixabay.