YOUR DEN OF LIONS MAY TURN OUT TO BE A BLESSING.

YOUR DEN OF LIONS MAY TURN OUT TO BE A BLESSING.
Your Conclusion About Your Difficulty May Be Logical But Logic Sometimes Does Not Consider God’s Sovereign Purposes
Text: Daniel 6
Except when otherwise indicated “Scripture is taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.”

Daniel in the den of lions: In a den of lions, only two events are possible: eat the lions or be eaten by the lions. Usually, the lion gets his food. But, there is a third possible event: the man becomes a good housemate of the lion. It is a story of faith overcoming a no-option situation.

Introduction:
The Last Persian Lion was spotted in 1942.
No Modern Daniel would ever be thrown into the Lions’ den.
But the truth is, we sometimes find ourselves in a different kind of Lions’ den- a No Option situation

What constitutes a “Lions’ Den” in Your life?
Your happiness is being threatened and while you know it, there really is nothing you can do about it.
Your very life is losing its possibilities- bankruptcy, piling of losses, friends distancing from you,-
You know your problem, you can “see” and “hear” them but there is nothing you can do.

Daniel and His Lion’s Den
Daniel was no longer young when he was thrown into the Lions’ den.
Daniel was thrown into the den because he would not compromise his faith in God.
Daniel opted to face danger rather than become an embarrassment to God
Daniel was the man who would say: I will not complain but rather I will glorify God in good times or bad times

Daniel 6 (NASB)
Dan 6:1-4. It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they should be in charge of the whole kingdom, 2 and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God." 6 Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: "King Darius, live forever!


Dan 6:7-8. "All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions' den. 8 "Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.“ Dan 6:9. Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction. 10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. Dan 6:12..Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king's injunction, "Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions' den?" The king answered and said, "The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.“ 13 Then they answered and spoke before the king, "Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day."Dan 6:14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed."16 Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions' den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you."17 And a stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing might be changed in regard to Daniel. 18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. 19 Then the king arose with the dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions' den. 20 And when he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?" 21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." 23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children, and their wives into the lions' den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

Sometimes, we find ourselves in a NO OPTION SITUATION
Joseph in the pit- He was on his way to become the Prime Minister of Egypt.
Jonah in the belly of the fish- He was on his way to shaking a prominent kingdom to repentance
Daniel in the Lions’ den- no way out, no way down, no way up- just simply no way to anywhere. However, in the morning, Daniel said goodbye to the lions and walked out of the lion’s den.

THE QUESTION TO GUIDE US
I DON’T WANT TO ENTER A DEN OF LIONS BUT IT IS A DISTINCT POSSIBILITY IN LIFE. And because I may actually find myself in such a situation, I NEED TO UNDERSTAND WHY WE HAVE OUR LIONS’ DEN AND WHAT IT ACTUALLY MEANS FOR US.
What do I need to understand about the LIONS’ DEN so that I do not end up being mangled but come out victorious?

1. WE HAVE A DEN OF LIONS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ARE SO CRUEL AND UNCARING
Dan 6: 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said, "We shall not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God." NASB

Consider what the men were saying:
“We can’t find an evidence against Daniel. He is untouchable because of his honesty. So, we will find evidence by manufacturing it.”
When people are cruel and uncaring, they end up hurting us, removing our joy and making us despair for our lives and the future.
There is so much cruelty in the world and sometimes we become victims.
Note this: God did not stop people’s cruelty against Daniel. What is the lesson?

2. WE HAVE A DEN OF LIONS EVEN WHEN WE HAVE FAITHFUL AND CARING FRIENDS
Dan 6:14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, "Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed." NASB

Think about this carefully:
The King was powerful and he was Daniel’s friend. He wanted so much so save his friend. He wanted to stop people’s cruelty but he was barred by legal restraints. .
Faith requires us to accept the fact that even when surrounded by faithful friends, we still can be hurt by the cruelty of people. That is why we need God to tide us over and brings us to the future.
Note this: A friend wanted to help Daniel but failed. What is the lesson?

3. WE HAVE A DEN OF LIONS BUT IT IS OFTEN THERE WHERE THE BIG MIRACLES TAKE PLACE .
Dan 6:21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, "O king, live forever! 22 "My God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths, and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime." 23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. NASB

NOTE THE MIRACLES IN THE DEN OF LIONS
THERE WERE AT LEAST 2 LIONS: 2 MIRACLES
THE LIONS IN THE DEN WERE KEPT HUNGRY SO THEY WOULD DO A GOOD JOB OF CHEWING PEOPLE. 3RD MIRACLE.
THE ANGEL HAD ACTUALLY ENTERED THE DEN. 4TH MIRACLE.
THE ANGEL DID NOT JUST STAND THERE. He shut the mouth of lions. 5th miracle.
The enemies ?

A SUMMARY OF OUR LESSONS TODAY
1. WE HAVE A DEN OF LIONS BECAUSE SOME PEOPLE ARE SO CRUEL AND UNCARING
2. WE HAVE A DEN OF LIONS EVEN WHEN WE HAVE FAITHFUL AND CARING FRIENDS
3. WE HAVE A DEN OF LIONS BUT IT IS OFTEN THERE WHERE THE BIG MIRACLES TAKE PLACE.

REINTERPRETING YOUR DEN OF LIONS . . .
The den of Lions is really the den of God’s sustaining grace.
The den of Lions is really the den of miracles.
The den of Lions is really the den of victory over our enemies.
The den of Lions is really the den of brighter glory, bigger freedom, higher recognition and safer tomorrow.
Laugh at the lions, smile in the den; you are on your way to greater glory.

YOU KNOW HOW THIS APPLIES TO YOU?
A LIONS’ DEN IS A REALITY WE MAY NOT ALWAYS ESCAPE BUT THINK OF IT THIS WAY:
What really matters is not what is in the den but WHO IS IN THE DEN WITH YOU. God is with you.
What will really count is not people’s cruelty but God’s kindness.
What will really make a difference is not the inability of our friends but the ability of God.
Your den of Lions is not a threat to you. Trust God.

SPECIFIC SUGGESTED RESPONSES
NEVER PUT THE ENTIRE MEANING OF YOUR LIFE ON WHAT PEOPLE DO TO YOU. YOU MIGHT MISS THE TRUTH THAT GOD CARES AND IS STILL THERE FORE YOU.
NEVER SAY IT’S HOPELESS SIMPLY BECAUSE YOU ARE SURROUNDED BY LIONS. IT IS NEVER HOPELESS BECAUSE GOD HAS ALREADY SURROUNDED YOU WITH HIS LOVE.
IF YOU ARE SO DISCOURAGED NOW, TELL GOD THIS: I AM DOWN BUT NOT OUT. I WILL NOT AND I CANNOT GIVE UP. I HAVE YOU AND EVERYTHING WILL TURN OUT RIGHT.