Daniel 6 — My God Hath Sent His Angel, and Hath Shut the Lions' Mouths
Daniel was preferred above the presidents and princes. They sought to find occasion against Daniel concerning the kingdom; but could find none. Whosoever shall ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days shall be cast into the den of lions. When Daniel knew that the writing was signed, he went into his house; his windows being open in his chamber toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks. They brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. The king — Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths.
“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.”
— Daniel 6:22
- v.1-10 The conspiracy and Daniel's prayer
- v.11-17 Cast into the den
- v.18-23 Delivered
- v.24-28 The decree and Daniel's prospering
My God. The possessive matters. Daniel had a personal claim on the God who delivered him.
Shut the lions' mouths. The protection was specific and physical. The God of the universe arranged for hungry lions to fast.
Verse 10 instructs you. When pressure rises, do what you have always done. The continuance of the disciplines you have built is the resistance you have. Daniel did not invent new prayer; he kept the old.
The God who shut the lions' mouths for Daniel sent His Son into a worse den. Christ went under the wrath and rose; Daniel's rescue is a shadow of the greater rescue at the cross.
As he did aforetime. The law changed; Daniel did not. The threat did not alter his discipline; he prayed the way he had always prayed.
A model for Christian fidelity under pressure. Do not invent new bravery; continue the old discipline.