JULY 16, 2025 – THE LIVING GOD

READ: Dan. 6:18-28: … He delivers and rescues … works signs and wonders …

King Darius finds it dreadful to have to throw his wise and faithful servant Daniel into the lions’ den. While Daniel remains obedient to his God unto death, Darius submits to his own law and carries out the sentence: he throws Daniel into the lions’ den.

Still, Darius calls out words of comfort, expressing hope that Daniel’s God will deliver him. This is remarkable in itself, though it still operates within a pagan frame of reference.

That God sustains Daniel is already an answer to his pleading: he is not led into temptation, but delivered from the evil one! Yet the answer to Daniel’s prayer goes even further:

Daniel, the intercessor of the church in exile, is allowed to live! The LORD saves him in a miraculous way from the hands of his executioners. It is not yet Daniel’s time to die.

God once again sends an angel to stand by His faithful servant (v.22). Daniel’s three friends had already been delivered from the blazing furnace. Now Daniel is saved from the den of bloodthirsty lions. The angel shuts their mouths.

Daniel remains completely unharmed. He declares before King Darius that this means God is merciful, that his sins have been forgiven, and he is therefore also innocent before the king.

In all this, the glory of God’s grace and omnipotence is revealed. He spares the life of His faithful servant—already nearly ninety years old—who must still live and struggle in a God-hating world.

God determines when and how the time of service for His servants ends; this still applies today. Even in old age and if we experience limitations, our task remains.. King Darius restores Daniel to honor and condemns his accusers to the cruel death they had devised for him.

Thus, Daniel’s name proves true: The LORD is my judge. Darius not only favors Daniel, but he also honors God. In all of this, God is glorified.

Do we speak freely about God to others?

Sing: Ps. 55:12,13