Lesson 12: Daniel In The Lions' Den

Daniel 6:14-28

In this lesson we see how God rescued Daniel from certain death in Babylon.

The story of Daniel in the lions' den is so well known that "lions' den" has became a cultural cliche - and deservedly so since everyone faces difficult situations in life. Daniel's story yields principles and procedures for surviving life's hardest moments.

DANIEL PREFERRED BY DARIUS

The Scripture records that when King Darius came into the Medo-Persian rule, he chose Daniel out of all the men in his kingdom and made him prime minister.

He was preferred "because an excellent spirit was in him." (Daniel 6:3)

DANIEL PERSECUTED BY HIS ENEMIES

They were determined to get Daniel. They were jealous and envious of him. He was a foreigner who had been elevated above them, and they hated him.

They tried first to indict him for some fault in his life, but they could find nothing wrong with him. In his professional life he was clean. In his personal life he was absolutely spotless. They determined that the only way they could get Daniel in trouble was to accuse him in the matter of his religion.

DANIEL PERSISTENT IN HIS TESTIMONY

When they passed the law that King Darius was to be god for a month and anybody who refused to bow down before him would be thrown into the den of lions, Daniel was caught in the trap.

Daniel didn't change at all. He kept right on doing what he had always done.

DANIEL PROTECTED BY HIS GOD

1. The Displeasure of the King (Daniel 6:14-15)

2. The Deliverance of Daniel to the Lions' Den (Daniel 6:16-17)

3. The Distress of the King (Daniel 6:18)

4. The Deliverance of Daniel in the Lions' Den (Daniel 6:19-23)

DANIEL PROVED BY HIS GOD (Daniel 6:24-28)

DANIEL AND PRACTICAL APPLICATIONS

1. The Probability of the Lions' Den

2. The Promise of the Lions' Den

3. The Purpose of the Lions' Den

4. The Prosperity of Daniel

We may not be asked to face a den of lions, but God is asking us to live our life honestly before a watching world, unashamed to give testimony to our faith in Jesus Christ.