Daniel (Greek) 14:38-42: a reflection

38Daniel said, “You have remembered me, O God! You haven’t forsaken those who love you!” 39So Daniel arose and ate; and the angel of God set Habakkuk in his own place again immediately. 40On the seventh day, the king came to mourn for Daniel. When he came to the den, he looked in, and, behold, Daniel was sitting. 41Then the king cried with a loud voice, saying, “Great are you, O Lord, you God of Daniel, and there is none other beside you!” 42So he drew him out, and cast those that were the cause of his destruction into the den; and they were devoured in a moment before his face.

In this account, Daniel, again cast into a den of lions, is sustained by God, even fed by the prophet Habakkuk whom God brings to him. And Daniel's response captures the heart of the story: You have remembered me, O God, and you have not forsaken those who love you. Even in the den, in the very jaws of danger, Daniel knew that God had not forgotten him, had not forsaken him; God remembered him and cared for him even there. And in the end, Daniel is delivered, and the king proclaims the greatness of Daniel's God.

Notice Daniel's confidence in the pit: You have not forsaken those who love you. In the den of lions, a place of apparent abandonment and certain death, Daniel did not conclude that God had forgotten him; he trusted that God had remembered him, that God does not forsake those who love him. And his trust was vindicated; God had not forgotten him, but was caring for him even in the pit, and would deliver him.

That confidence is a comfort in our own dark places. There are times when we feel abandoned, forgotten, as though God has forsaken us in our trouble, in our own den of lions. But Daniel's confidence is ours to share: God does not forsake those who love him. Even in the pit, in the place of apparent abandonment, he remembers us, has not forgotten us, is caring for us even there. When you feel forsaken and forgotten in your trouble, hold onto Daniel's confidence: God has not forsaken those who love him. He remembers you, even in the den; he has not forgotten you, even in the dark. Trust that the God who did not forsake Daniel in the lions' den has not forsaken you.

Lord, in the den of lions, Daniel trusted that you had remembered him and had not forsaken those who love you, and you cared for him even there and delivered him. Give me that confidence in my own dark places. There are times when I feel abandoned, forgotten, as though you have forsaken me in my trouble, in my own den of lions. But Daniel's confidence is mine to share: you do not forsake those who love you. Even in the pit, in the place of apparent abandonment, you remember me, have not forgotten me, are caring for me even there. When I feel forsaken and forgotten, help me hold onto that truth: you have not forsaken those who love you. You remember me, even in the den; you have not forgotten me, even in the dark. Help me trust the God who did not forsake Daniel.