Shutting The Mouths of Lions: Daniel's Story

In 1995 a film came out detailing the successful failure of the Apollo 13 mission.

A routine mission so to speak (though I don’t know how any spaceflight would be considered routine) that suffered a catastrophic failure of the oxygen system that crippled the space ship. It took a crew well trained with their heads able to handle the pressure and working together and a ground crew that refused to give up. There was one scene in which the air scrubber needed modified. so they could have safe levels of air. There only hope was to fit a square peg into a round hole. Have you ever felt like that? That in your faith you just didn’t fit in with the group of friends, colleagues, or coworkers?

Have you ever been described as weird because of your faith in Jesus?

Daniel’s faith impacted 3 kingdoms.

Daniel even in exile is a blessing because of how seriously and exceptionally he cares for his duties. Daniel exemplifies a faithful work ethic that represents his people in a strange land. Because of his commitment to not only holiness in worship of Yahweh but also holiness of work.

Daniel had more than a belief system, he had a relationship with God that

At odds with the world.

Because Daniel is successful and God is richly blessing him and the people, he gets the spotlight for criticism and hate. The higher the platform and the purer the life the more plentiful the haters.

Living out of our belief always makes us stand out.

We are to be set apart.

The apostles after the resurrection and ascension of Jesus. Don’t teach in that name!

Acts 5:28

Isn’t it interesting that the human constant is to reject the very God who gave, life, order, and purpose to the world.

The human condition.

Throwing stones at glass houses.

Daniel’s enemies knew the only way to undo Daniel was to attack his faith practices.

Daniel did not wear his faith like a mantel but deep within the confines of his being.

Daniel was a man of great integrity and beyond corruption.

Colossians 1:22 “he has now reconciled in his fleshly body through death, so as to present you holy and blameless and irreproachable before him—”

The world hates what it does not understand and cannot control.

Apologetic: When humans reject God and seat themselves in God’s place, glorify their own power by redefining right and wrong.

Isaiah 5:20–21 NRSV

Ah, you who call evil good and good evil, who put darkness for light and light for darkness, who put bitter for sweet and sweet for bitter! Ah, you who are wise in your own eyes, and shrewd in your own sight!

Christians are to live exemplary lives, to live above reproach from outsiders! 1 Timothy 3:7“Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace and the snare of the devil.”

God reveals himself to the world through Jesus and now the church.

It was the everyday activity of piety because of his belief that produced his character.

John Wesley and his group at Oxford we made fun of by even the religious being called “Bible Moths, and people of the “New Method”

Charles Wesley would famously write about living a life pointed toward holiness: “Unite the pair so long dis-joined, knowledge and vital piety.”

“We don’t believe something by merely saying we believe it, or even when we believe that we believe it. We believe something when we act as if it were true.”- Dallas Willard, Renovation of The Heart.

Christians are called to the highest ideals of integrity and dependability.

“Justin Martyr (A.D. 100-165), the greatest apologist of the second century, was a former pagan. In his First Apology (chap. 2), he challenged the Romans to investigate rumors of Christian misbehavior mentioned earlier. He reiterated the teachings of Jesus in Matthew 22:21 regarding paying taxes, as well as noting that Christians pray for the emperor (chap. 17). Finally, he maintained that once the facts were in, the Christians would be found to be "moral, upright, and law-abiding citizens who are the empire's 'best allies in securing good order'" (J. David Cassell, "Defending the Cannibals," Christian History 17, No. 1: 15).”

Here is the promise.

Live lives that are righteous and true and no accusation against you will stand.

1 Peter 3:16 NRSV

yet do it with gentleness and reverence. Keep your conscience clear, so that, when you are maligned, those who abuse you for your good conduct in Christ may be put to shame.

2. God is faithful and so we are called to be faithful— no matter what don’t give up on God!

Daniel 6:20–22 “When he came near the den where Daniel was, he cried out anxiously to Daniel, “O Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God whom you faithfully serve been able to deliver you from the lions?” Daniel then said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong.””

3. Your light will shine before others and they will be recipients of blessing because of you.

Matthew 5:16 “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.”

4. Intercede for others in prayer for it will be heard by God!

James 5:16 “Therefore confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another, so that you may be healed. The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective.”

5. The impossible can’t happen if we don’t allow God the opportunity!

Hebrews 11:33 “who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, obtained promises, shut the mouths of lions,”

Conclusion

Faith in action strengthens us and impacts the world. The world will have to decide what they are going to do with us for we as Christians will not compromise our faith or sacrifice our love and fidelity to God.

“If you pour everything into this life, this world, which is temporary and fading, you’re jeopardizing your relationship with God, the only thing that’s eternal.”—Craig Groeschele, Weird: When Normal Isn’t Working

We trust in the God who says we are safe and secure in Him. He didn’t leave us alone but came to us, to serve us, to die for us, to exalt us. God stepped out on faith in the hope that we would choose to do life with him.

We trust in God’s truth, God’s promise, and God’s power. We believe in the God who shuts the mouths of lions!