Miraculous Deliverance in Daniel

Have you ever experienced a miraculous deliverance? Many stories exist about God’s delivering His people from bondage. Today I’m going to relate the first of two—one from antiquity and the other yet to come.

“It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom one hundred and twenty satraps, to be over the whole kingdom; and over these, three governors, of whom Daniel was one, that the satraps might give account to them, so that the king would suffer no loss.”

Daniel 6:1-2 NKJV

Jealousy

Due to the excellent spirit in him, Daniel received high favor from King Darius such that the king considered giving him authority over the entire realm. The kingdom’s satraps and governors, smitten with envy, plotted against Daniel. They tried to dig up charges against him or find mistakes he had made, but all they could uncover was his faithfulness. “Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any charge against this Daniel unless we find it against him concerning the law of his God’” (v.6:5 NKJV).

Deception

“‘King Darius, live forever! All the governors of the kingdom, the administrators and satraps, the counselors and advisors, have consulted together to establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree…’” (v. 6b-7a NKJV). These men connived a plan to remove Daniel from his lofty political position by appealing to the king’s vanity. If anyone prayed for thirty days to a man or god and not King Darius, he would be cast into a lion’s den. What’s more, they insisted that the law be signed according to the law of the Medes and Persians, making it unalterable. Even if the king wanted to, he wouldn’t be able to reverse it.

Capture

Although aware of the decree, Daniel continued in prayer three times a day, as was his custom. These men found Daniel in the act and reported his guilt to the king. Darius, forlorn, realized he had been tricked, but there was nothing he could do to save Daniel from the irrevocable law. “So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, ‘Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you’” (v.6:16 NKJV).

The king spent a fitful night fasting from food and pleasures, unable to sleep. Early the next morning, he ran to the den and cried out, “‘Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?’” (v.20b NKJV)

Miraculous Deliverance

“Then Daniel said to the king, ‘O king, live forever! My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you’”(v.6:21-22 NKJV).The king was thrilled and gave orders that Daniel be lifted out of the den. What’s more, Daniel had no injuries whatsoever because of his belief in his God.

Justice

Furious, the king then ordered the guilty accusers, along with their wives and children, to be thrown into the lion’s den. Before they hit bottom, the lions crushed their bones and devoured them alive.

A New Decree

King Darius wrote a worldwide decree to all the people of every nation and language on the earth.

“I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel. For He is the living God, And steadfast forever; His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed, And His dominion shall endure to the end. He delivers and rescues, And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth, Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions” (v.26-27 NKJV).

Can you imagine what the world then must have been like after such a decree? What a wonderful command to fear and worship the living God!

Our present-day, however, is just the opposite. Like the story of Daniel, godless men plot and plan to persecute those who worship the true and living God, bringing us to the second story, which is yet to be. (To be continued in the next blog post…)

Dear Lord, thank you for encouraging us through the story of Daniel. You are a God of miracles and a God of deliverance both then and today. May we trust You to deliver us in a day of persecution. In Jesus’s Name, Amen.

Miraculous Deliverance in Daniel by Karen Jurgens Copyright 2021 All rights reserved