As the guards closed the aperture and went their way, Daniel slid gradually to the floor of the den, the big lions that had come bounding from their caverns at the inflow of light all stopped suddenly short like a steed rained up by a powerful hand on the bridal. The initial roars died away as they formed a solid fail and looked toward this man who stood in their den in easy reach.
There was some snorting and a little whining, and some of them turned around and went back to their caverns. Others of the great beasts yawned and laid down on the floor, but not one made a move to advance toward their visitor. “Thanks be unto Jehovah,” breathed Daniel. “He has stopped the mouths of these fierce beasts, and they will do me no harm.
” He sat down on the floor of the den and leaned his back against the wall to make himself comfortable for the night. Soon two cub lions moved in his direction, not stealthily or crouching as though to make an attack, but in obvious friendliness, and one lay on each side of Daniel as though to give him warmth and protection in the chilly dungeon.
Their mother, an old lioness, crept over and lay in front of the prophet. He gently stroked their backs as they each turned their heads and licked his hand. Enclosed by the lioness and her cubs, the head of the patriarch was gradually pillared on the back of one of the cubs as the four slept soundly in perfect peace and tranquility.
Now, that isn’t exactly in the Bible, but that’s kind of the way I think it happened. On today’s program, we follow along the path of a great hero and prophet of God. Just as this prophet discovered in his day, the end times are not here yet, but we can see them from where we stand. God’s word shows us the signs of the coming future, but scripture also instructs us on how to live during the everchanging present.
So stay tuned for today’s edition of Turning Point, the stand you can take today. Daniel has been out of the mainstream of political power since Babylon was defeated by the Mes and the Persians. Now after almost 2 years have passed at the ripe old age of 83 he is summoned by Darius the Meo Persian king and given a very prestigious assignment in his new administration.
The first thing you learn from the sixth chapter of Daniel and the first three verses is this. Stand up people, get promoted. Listen to these words from Daniel. It pleased Darius to set over the kingdom 120 cataps and over these three governors of whom Daniel was one that the satraps might give account to them so that the king would suffer no loss.
Then this Daniel distinguished himself because an excellent spirit was in him and the king gave thought to setting him over the whole realm. Apparently part of their responsibility was to collect taxes for the king. And because there was dishonesty among these lower level officials, Darius selected three men as governors. And the text actually says so the king would suffer no loss.
He didn’t want to get ripped off by his governors. Of these three governors, Darius was most impressed with Daniel and selected him to function as the prime minister over the land. According to the description in Daniel 6, Daniel was preferred above the other governors because an excellent spirit was in him. He was spiritfilled in the Old Testament.
He had the spirit of God in him. This means he had a good attitude. It means he worked hard to fulfill his responsibilities. And most of all, in this situation, he was honest. And Daniel continued to honor God with his life. And now, even at the age of 83, God is once again honoring Daniel. Daniel would become the second in command over all the Meo Persian Empire.
