Advent devotions: Dec. 7, 2017

Thursday December 7

Daniel 6:19-28 King commands loyalty to God

Then, at break of day, the king got up and hurried to the den of lions. When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, ‘O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?’ Daniel then said to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.’ Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken 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 king gave a command, and those who had accused Daniel were brought and thrown into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. Before they reached the bottom of the den the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.

 Then King Darius wrote to all peoples and nations of every language throughout the whole world: ‘May you have abundant prosperity! I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel:
For he is the living God,
   enduring forever.
His kingdom shall never be destroyed,
   and his dominion has no end.
He delivers and rescues,
   he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth;
for he has saved Daniel
   from the power of the lions.’
So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

****

In this passage we find Daniel on the morning after he has faced the Lions.  The king comes upon Daniel, who in unscathed.  When queried as to how this is possible, Daniel replies that God sent an Angel to close the lions’ mouths.  Daniel believes this occurred because of his innocence and purity of heart.  The king then, makes a decree that all men should tremble, and believe in God and therefore be protected by God. 

Advent is the season miracles and waiting, and above all, believing.  We each face our own “lions’ dens” in life.  Whether personal, health-related, of financial, we each encounter situations where Faith in God can help us through the crisis.  During Advent it can be easy to get caught up in the pressures of the holiday season and lose the simple and pure belief exhibited by Daniel.

Prayer: Dear Lord, Help me to face my lions’ den with bravery and belief.  Help me to trust that you will show me the way through my struggles.  During this season of Advent, help me to kindle the flame of the Advent wreath and keep my belief present throughout this busy and pressured time of year. Amen.

Lisa Schuldt