“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” (Daniel 6:22)
Daniel in the lion’s den is one of the most recognized stories in the Bible. Still, we can miss the lessons it teaches. We’ve already seen how Daniel distinguished himself; and how he lived with integrity and consistency. Now we see him face his most difficult trial with confidence—not in himself but in the Lord! What does living with confidence in God look like in our lives today?
First, we need to understand what confidence in God is not. For instance, don’t mistakenly think that the more faithful you are the fewer troubles you’ll face. In fact, the Bible says the opposite. “Indeed, all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3:12). And remember, his faithfulness is precisely why Daniel was thrown into the lion’s den.
Neither does having confidence in God mean He’ll keep you from all earthly harm. Yes, Daniel was kept safe but there have been Christian martyrs throughout the ages, from the stoning of Stephen (Acts 7:58-60) right up to today.
Daniel wasn’t trading his faithfulness for a particular outcome. If being obedient meant putting his life at risk, then so be it! The consequences were in the Lord’s hands. Daniel faced this trial with confidence because he knew God so well. He knew the God he served was not only powerful but trustworthy.
Did Daniel believe the Lord would save him from the lions? The Bible doesn’t say. But Daniel’s testimony was so strong that King Darius had confidence in God to deliver Daniel (v16). And when God did deliver Daniel from the lions the result was a royal decree, “that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel” (vv25-27).
Obedience isn’t scary when you live with confidence in God’s character. So, the more you know about Him, the better you’ll respond to the difficulties of life. Then your question isn’t, “God, why is this happening to me?” But “Lord, how can You be glorified in this situation?” Come what may you can pray, “Vindicate me, O Lord, for I have walked in my integrity, And I have trusted in the Lord without wavering” (Psalm 26:1).