My God sent His angel, and He shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in His sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, O king. Daniel 6:22
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ:
The salvation story of Jesus Christ reaches around the world. So that the readers of our Daily Devotion may see the power of the Savior on a global scale, we have asked the volunteers of our International Ministry Centers to write our Friday devotions. We pray that the Spirit may touch your day through their words.
In Christ, I remain, His servant and yours,
Kenneth R. Klaus
Speaker of The Lutheran Hour
This verse places us in an historic moment in the life of Daniel. His love for God was greater than his own life. Even as he faced the fearsome jaws of the lions, he was confident the faithful God of his ancestors, the same God who opened the Red Sea, the God of fulfilled promises, would be his protector.
Facing the lions wasn't easy for Daniel. He wasn't a superman with special powers to dominate the lions or make them disappear. He was a man with faith, and the source of his assurance came from confidence in the almighty God.
The fear of losing our life can tempt us to surrender, to forget our principles and values, and even our faith. Facing the dilemma of choosing between life in this world and life that comes through faith in Jesus gives us a unique perspective. Jesus said: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?" (Matthew 16:26).
Daniel trusted in God, which not only ensured his earthly life but also won him the respect of King Darius and the possibility that an empire would recognize and worship the one true God.
"For He is the living God and He endures forever; His kingdom will not be destroyed, His dominion will never end. He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions" (Daniel 6:26b-27).
The God who shut the lions' mouths is also the God who opened the tomb and raised Christ from the dead. We receive new life through faith in our crucified and risen Savior.
THE PRAYER: Heavenly Father, help us to face the lions in our lives with the assurance of Your protection and love. In Jesus' Name, we pray. Amen.
Biography of Author:
Wendy Perez is an assistant who works with Cristo Para Todas Las Naciones (CPTLN) in Panama. She has also served with Project Joel to connect with youth and others in Central America with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. She has worked with Lutheran Hour Ministries' since 2001.
To learn more about our International Ministries, click here or visit www.lhmint.org.
Today's Bible Readings: 2 Chronicles 31-32 Acts 20:1-16
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