God’s Kingdom, Power and Glory
The phrase “thrown to the wolves” refers to being sacrificed to a terrible fate. Most of us have experienced this on some level. And while our fate was probably not life threatening, we can have some appreciation for what Daniel experienced in Daniel chapter 6 (Dan. 6:10-11, 14, 16, 19-23, 26-27). He was thrown into a lions den in a political plot to remove him from power in the king’s administration. But he remained faithful to God and God received the glory when He delivered Daniel from the hands of his enemies. I pray that you would draw closer to God in your time of trouble and you would see God’s kingdom, power and glory in your deliverance. Amen
Now when Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; and his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did aforetime. Then these men assembled, and found Daniel praying and making supplication before his God. (Daniel 6:10-11) Despite the decree signed by the king, Daniel continued to worship God and pray three times each day. This act was in direct violation of the king’s decree and the men who had plotted to trap Daniel were waiting to catch him praying.
Then the king, when he heard these words, was sore displeased with himself, and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him: and he laboured till the going down of the sun to deliver him. (Daniel 6:14)
Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. (Daniel 6:16) The men who set the trap for Daniel to violate the king’s decree, immediately made the king aware of Daniel’s continued worship of God. While the king recognized that he had been set up, he could not come up with a way to avoid enforcing his own decree. So he had Daniel cast into a lion’s den and although the king could not find a way to deliver Daniel, he implored Daniel to seek God to deliver him.
Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. Then was the king exceeding 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 manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. (Daniel 6:19-23) The king was anxious to find out whether God had been faithful and delivered Daniel from being devoured by the lions. He woke up early and went to the lions den to see what had become of Daniel. The king called out to Daniel with lamentation (grief and sorrow) in his voice. The king was overjoyed to find out that Daniel was alive and had been covered by God’s protection during the night. He commanded that Daniel be brought out of the lion’s den and when Daniel was examined, he was examined and found to have suffered no injury.
I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (Daniel 6:26-27) The king then issued another decree, requiring that “the living” God be reverenced throughout his kingdom. He acknowledged in his decree that God’s kingdom and his dominion (sovereignty and supremacy) were forever. His testimony was of God’s power to work signs and miracles as evidenced by Daniel’s deliverance from death in the lion’s den.
As a result of Daniel’s deliverance from the lion’s den, God’s power and sovereign authority was proclaimed by the king throughout his kingdom. When we remain faithful to God even in the face of our tribulations, we have the opportunity for God to get the glory for our deliverance. When others see what we’ve gone through and how God has remained faithful in our trials, we become a testimony to who God is and of His power. Daniel didn’t abandon God when he was attacked by his enemies, he drew closer to God. In turn, God delivered him from evil. And to that we say…. “Thine is the kingdom, the power and the glory forever. Amen”
Blessings, Rev. Glenn
“….And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, for ever. Amen.” ~ Matthew 6:13
