Daniel 6 (5)

Introduction
Darius hoped that Daniel’s God would be able to deliver him from the mouths of the lions. He would not be disappointed. God, Who sent His angel to make a donkey open its mouth and speak, could certainly send an angel to shut the mouths of lions.

Read Numbers 22.22-35.

Read Daniel 6.18-23.

Think it Through
1.  How would you describe Darius’ state of mind as he retired to bed for the night? What was causing this distress? Why? What was it about Daniel that made Darius so anxious for him? What did Darius know about Daniel’s faith? What do the lost people in your Personal Mission Field know about yours?

2.  Daniel reported that God had sent an angel to shut the mouths of the lions. Why did He need to do that? Or is it a matter of “need”? Meditate on Acts 12.5-11 and Revelation 7.1-3. Do angels have a role in the operations of the material world? Explain. How would you explain the relationship between Daniel’s faith in God (v. 23) and God’s sovereign operation in sending an angel to deliver him? What is the relationship between divine sovereignty and human faith in God’s work of redemption?

Meditate
“See how they were in death itself, Daniel encompassed by the lions, the three children abiding in the furnace, the Israelites, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, in diverse temptations; and yet not even so did they despair. For this is faith. When things are turning out adversely, then we ought to believe nothing adverse is done but all things in due order.” John Chrysostom (344-407 AD)

And when Peter had come to himself, he said, “Now I know for certain that the Lord has sent His angel, and has delivered me from the hand of Herod and fromall the expectation of the Jewish people.” Acts 12.11

Lord, surround me and all Your children with holy angels today, that we may with confidence, faith and joy…

Pray Psalm 66.1-9.
As you pray, think about the various ways you will need the power of God to be with you today. Call on Him to provide it.

Psalm 66.1-9 (Regent Square: Angels from the Realms of Glory)
Shout for joy to God, all people, sing the glory of His Name!
Give Him glorious praise and say, “How great Your pow’r and great Your fame!
All the earth shall worship gladly as they praise Your glorious Name!”

Great and awesome is our Savior in the works which He has done.
He the sea and river dried to let His people cross as one.
Then our joy was great to worship Him our mighty, sovereign One.

He the nations watches ever – all you rebels, humbled be;
Bless our God, all men and nations, praise His Name eternally!
He preserves our souls, and He will keep His paths beneath our feet.

T. M Moore

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Except as indicated, Scripture taken from the New King James Version. © Copyright 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. All psalms for singing adapted from The Ailbe Psalter. All quotations from Church Fathers from Ancient Christian Commentary Series, General Editor Thomas C. Oden (Downers Grove: InterVarsity Press, 2006.