Friday, June 7, 2019

Deliverance from the Lions (GL52)

    'Appreciating God's Love'

A) King's Love for the Slave
Dan 6:18-20  Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions. 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, been able to deliver you from the lions?"
    Daniel was a captive from Judah, and just another slave. For his faith in God's words and the words of the prophet Jeremiah, he was prepared to serve the Babylonians faithfully.
   He earned the respects of all the kings for his ability to interprete dreams and visions. When he was thrown into the lions' den, King Darius was worried that he could not sleep, so he fasted and prayed for his survival.
    Can you believe that the powerful King Darius would fast and pray for the life of a captive slave?

Note
Gen 6:5  Then the Lord saw that the wickedness of man was great in the earth, and that every intent of the thoughts of his heart was only evil continually.
    Since the fall of Adam, men are wicked and make themselves to be God's enemies by rebellions and worshipping of idols and spirits.
    We thank God that though men were wicked, slaves to sin and enemies of God, yet God out of His mercy refuse to consider us His enemies. Instead, He sent His only begotten Son Jesus into the world that whoever believes in Him will have eternal life.
     Jesus Christ, out of His great love for men, offered Himself to die on the cross as the propitiation of our sins, while we are still slaves to sin and God's enemies, save us from wrath and damnation. So that whoever believes in Him is elevated from slavehood to become children of the King of Kings and the Lord of lords.
Rom 5:8-10  But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. Much more then, having now been justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him. For if when we were enemies we were reconciled to God through the death of His Son, much more, having been reconciled, we shall be saved by His life.

B) Angel Shuts the Lions' Mouths
Dan 6:21-23  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." Now 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.
   King Darius was concerned of Daniel's life that very early in the morning he rushed straight to the lions' den and immediately inquired of his safety in the lions' den.
    When he found out that God had protected Daniel from being eaten by the lions, he was overjoyed. After Daniel was taken out from the lions' den, he was unhurt because God's protection was perfect since he believed and  trusted God.
    Similarly, the lion representing the Devil is going around looking for Christians to devour by destroying their faith in the Lord. How joyful it will be to God when we have overcome the devil's temptations, deceptions and heresies.
     When in temptation our Lord taught to resist it by humbling ourselves before Him for His strenght and empowering to overcome the temptations and deceptions.
    Brethren, just like our godly brethren give joy to our Lord and Savior by overcoming the devil's temptations and deceptions with the empowering of His Holy Spirit.
I Pet 5:6-9  Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your care upon Him, for He cares for you. Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. Resist him, steadfast in the faith, knowing that the same sufferings are experienced by your brotherhood in the world.

C) Vengeance is the Lord's
Dan 6:24  And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
     The enemies of Daniel, who planned Daniel's death by the mouths of the lions, were all thrown into the lions' den and instead of Daniel's death, they were the ones eaten by the lions for vengeance is always the Lord's.
    Brethren, let's not worry about how the enemies of the Lord will try to harm or destroy us. If God can deliver Daniel from the lions' mouth and his three Jewish friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-Nego from the fiery furnace, can't He deliver us from our problems, sicknesses and difficulties?
Rom 12:19-21  Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord. Therefore "If your enemy is hungry, feed him; If he is thirsty, give him a drink; For in so doing you will heap coals of fire on his head." Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

Deliverance Glorified the Lord
Dan 6:26-28  I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, and steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, and His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, and He works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
    Brethren, be humble, be faithful to Him by keeping His words and always let His will be done.
   Just like these devout Jews, for righteousness sake, be prepared to be thrown into the fiery furnace and the lions' den to see His miraculous deliverance.