In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how he prayed to God even though a law was made that no one was to pray to any god or man for thirty days, and for this reason he was “cast into the den of lions. Now the king spoke and said unto Daniel, Your God whom you serve continually, he will deliver you. And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of music brought before him: and his sleep went from 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 spoke and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is your God, whom you serve continually, able to deliver you from the lions?”, and in chapter six and verse twenty-one of his book Daniel shared how he responded to King Darius by saying, “O King, live for ever” where we read,
Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever.
The verse reads, “Then said Daniel unto the king, …” Daniel began with the words, “then said Daniel” or “at that time uttered, declared and proclaimed Daniel whose name means God is my judge” “to the king” which means “toward the royal ruler and leader, Darius” the following words. Daniel shared how he answered King Darius with the following words.
The verse continues, “… O king, live for ever.” Daniel added the words, “O king” or “O royal ruler and leader”, “live for ever” which means “remain alive eternally, perpetually and to everlasting”. Daniel answered King Darius’ lamentable question by telling him to remain alive eternally.
When we meditate upon the words in this verse, we discover how Daniel responded to King Darius’ question concerning whether his Supreme Deity was able to save him by telling the king to remain alive forever. We can imagine the relief King Darius felt when he heard Daniel’s voice. We shall see what happens with Daniel and King Darius in our next few verses, but for now, let us put ourselves in Daniel’s place as God indeed saved him from the power of the “lions”. God loves us, and He desires to have an intimate personal relationship with us through His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind. When God raised Him from the dead after three days, He made the way for us to be forgiven of our sins, granted everlasting life and provided with His Holy Spirit who will continually give us assurance of our salvation as we serve and minister to Him.
Next time Daniel tells King Darius, “my God has sent his angel, and has shut the lions' mouths”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until tomorrow…there is more…
See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".
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