Miraculous – Part 8
God is our protector. He is a safe place, a refuge. Read Psalms and you will see David proclaim this over and over. We tend to live in fear because we fail to see how big our God is. There are many examples in the Bible and in the world today of God’s divine protection. However, I will highlight only two today. Today, learn to trust God to protect you.
God protected Daniel even when he was thrown into a den full of hungry lions. For the full story read Daniel 6. As for today, we will focus on Daniel 6:10-12, 16-23.
“Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. Then these men went as a group and found Daniel praying and asking God for help. So they went to the king and spoke to him about his royal decree: “Did you not publish a decree that during the next thirty days anyone who prays to any god or human being except to you, Your Majesty, would be thrown into the lions’ den?” “So the king gave the order, and they brought Daniel and threw him into the lions’ den. The king said to Daniel, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the rings of his nobles, so that Daniel’s situation might not be changed. Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night without eating and without any entertainment being brought to him. And he could not sleep. At the first light of dawn, the king got up and hurried to the lions’ den. When he came near the den, he called to Daniel in an anguished voice, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “May the king live forever! 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.” The king was overjoyed and gave orders to lift Daniel out of the den. And when Daniel was lifted from the den, no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”
(NIV)
Daniel was aware of the possible punishment of the lion’s den when he prayed. He didn’t deviate from his routine. His prayer life was at the top of his priorities. Where does prayer fall on your list? Does it even make it onto your list? Prayer is talking with God, which should be at the top of your to-do list everyday. It should be so important that you would continue to do it, even if it could cost you your life. Daniel was that devoted. Are you?
In verse 16, as the king is putting Daniel in the den he says, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you.” (NIV) Then in verse 22, Daniel responds to the kings question about God rescuing him saying, “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. Not have I ever done any wrong before you, your Majesty.” (NIV) That sure is some miraculous protection. God sent his angel to protect Daniel. Daniel was found innocent. The king knew Daniel as a man who continually served God. Could the same be said for you?
The other story is found in Daniel 3:5-6, 16-27
“As soon as you hear the sound of the horn, flute, zither, lyre, harp, pipe and all kinds of music, you must fall down and worship the image of gold that King Nebuchadnezzar has set up. Whoever does not fall down and worship will immediately be thrown into a blazing furnace. Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego replied to him, “King Nebuchadnezzar, we do not need to defend ourselves before you in this matter. If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand. But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.” Then Nebuchadnezzar was furious with Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and his attitude toward them changed. He ordered the furnace heated seven times hotter than usual and commanded some of the strongest soldiers in his army to tie up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego and throw them into the blazing furnace. So these men, wearing their robes, trousers, turbans and other clothes, were bound and thrown into the blazing furnace. The king’s command was so urgent and the furnace so hot that the flames of the fire killed the soldiers who took up Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, and these three men, firmly tied, fell into the blazing furnace. Then King Nebuchadnezzar leaped to his feet in amazement and asked his advisers, “Weren’t there three men that we tied up and threw into the fire?”They replied, “Certainly, Your Majesty.” He said, “Look! I see four men walking around in the fire, unbound and unharmed, and the fourth looks like a son of the gods.” Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, “Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God,come out! Come here!” So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them.”
(NIV)
These Jews knew the power of God and his miraculous nature. Do you know God’s miraculous nature?
Trust God to be your protector no matter the circumstance. All these men knew God’s character. Learn God’s character through spending time with his daily in His Word (Holy Bible), in worship, and in prayer. He wants to have the same relationship with you that he had with them. He also wants to protect you. Spend time with God today and all throughout the week. Ask God to show you his character and to be your protector. Then let go and let God!
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