Daniel (Greek) 6:19-23: a reflection

19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste to the den of lions. 20When he came near to the den to Daniel, he cried with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?” 21Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! 22My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not hurt me; because I am innocent in his sight. Also before you, O king, I have done no harm.” 23Then the king was exceedingly glad, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.

The morning after Daniel is cast into the lions' den, the king hurries there and cries out, and Daniel answers, alive and unharmed. My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me, Daniel says. And the account gives the reason for his deliverance: he was taken up out of the den, and no harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel had trusted God, remaining faithful though it cost him the den; and God delivered him, shutting the lions' mouths.

Notice the reason given for Daniel's deliverance: because he had trusted in his God. Daniel had trusted God, not compromising his devotion even under threat of death; and God delivered him, shutting the mouths of the lions. The account ties the deliverance to Daniel's trust: he was unharmed because he had trusted in God. His trust did not go unhonored; God delivered the one who had trusted him, even from the lions. Daniel's faithful trust in God was met by God's deliverance, so that no harm was found on him.

That is worth taking to heart, for God honors the trust of those who trust him, and can deliver even from the lions' den. Daniel trusted God even when it meant the lions' den, and God delivered him. This does not mean God always delivers his trusting people from every danger in this life; but it assures us that God honors the trust of those who trust him, and is able to deliver even from what seems certain doom. When you are in danger or trouble, having trusted God even at cost, do not think your trust in vain; God honors the trust of those who trust him, and can deliver even from the lions' den, as he delivered Daniel because he had trusted in his God. Trust God even when faithfulness is costly and the danger great, as Daniel did, and know that God honors such trust, delivering the one who trusts him, whether in this life or in the life to come, as he shut the lions' mouths for Daniel, who was found unharmed because he had trusted in his God.

Lord, the morning after Daniel is cast into the lions' den, the king hurries there and cries out, and Daniel answers, alive and unharmed. My God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions' mouths, and they have not hurt me, Daniel says. And the account gives the reason for his deliverance: he was taken up out of the den, and no harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. Daniel had trusted you, remaining faithful though it cost him the den; and you delivered him. Show me the reason given for Daniel's deliverance: because he had trusted in his God. Daniel had trusted you, not compromising his devotion even under threat of death; and you delivered him, shutting the mouths of the lions. The account ties the deliverance to Daniel's trust. His trust did not go unhonored; you delivered the one who had trusted you. Take that to my heart, for you honor the trust of those who trust you, and can deliver even from the lions' den. Daniel trusted you even when it meant the den, and you delivered him. This does not mean you always deliver your trusting people from every danger in this life; but it assures me that you honor the trust of those who trust you, and are able to deliver even from what seems certain doom. When I am in danger or trouble, having trusted you even at cost, keep me from thinking my trust in vain; you honor the trust of those who trust you, Lord. Help me trust you even when faithfulness is costly and the danger great, as Daniel did, knowing that you honor such trust.