A God who Shuts the Mouths of Lions
Devo #6
Another morning with 2 selections, this time from Daniel and 1 Peter…
6 Humble yourselves, therefore, under God’s mighty hand, that he may lift you up in due time.7 Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
8 Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.
1 Peter 5:6-8
21 Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 22 My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me, because I was found innocent in his sight. Nor have I ever done any wrong before you, Your Majesty.”
Daniel 6:21-22
I have many fond memories of Bible school as a child. For many years during my very early elementary school days, my family attended a Presbyterian church. Fun fact: while we were there, my parents co-taught my Bible school class for a couple of those years! Those classes are the ones I remember most fondly. I remember being taught the classics: Noah’s Ark, Joseph’s coat of many colors, and Daniel in the den of lions. Those stories are so ingrained in my mind as a part of my childhood, I tend to forget about them. Much like the Winnie the Pooh and Clifford the Big Red Dog books I loved as a child, these precious parts of my childhood years don’t often pop up in my everyday thoughts as an adult.
But last year, I remember listening to the Mornings With the Masters podcast, where the host was reading the story of Daniel in the den of lions. It had been so long since I had heard that story, that it was almost as if I had heard it for the first time. The miraculous work of God shutting the mouths of the lions and protection of Daniel made me tear up at the time. And serendipitously, a few days later, I ran across a verse in the New Testament that helped me to understand why. I read 1 Peter 5:8, “Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.” These verses warn us to be alert and on our guard. However, looking at them through the lens of Daniel’s story, I realized the most miraculous thing: we truly have nothing to fear! God protected Daniel from a den full of lions, and he will protect us just as fiercely.
Be humble, pray often, seek God in the moments where you feel the rumble of the lions’ growl. Even in the face of fearsome fangs of the monsters that haunt our days, do not be afraid. Even the greatest foe doesn’t stand a chance. No matter what, God is steadfast and more all-powerful than we could ever imagine. We are protected!
And one more thing before I sign off for this morning… Here’s a prayer exercise for those who, like me, get anxious or frightened often. (In today’s world, especially as an American currently, I’m often finding myself frightened of the news.) Close your eyes in those moments, and picture yourself as Daniel in that den. See the lions. Name your fears, assign them to each fearsome and growling lion. And envision God’s protection in action: Him binding their mouths shut! Thank you God for your help, I have nothing to fear.
Praying for you & me, and all of us. And it helps to be reminded that we are never alone.