Daniel, in the Bible, was a man of prayer. The only charge his enemies could bring against him was that he constantly petitioned God. He was in regular communication with God. He had a manner of staying joined to God, being in close connection with God, and continually being in God’s presence.
The King signed the order declaring no one could ask anything of any god or man unless they asked the King. Everyone would only be able to ask anything of the king. This order did not prevent Daniel from continually praying to his God. Consequently, Daniel was arrested, charged, and convicted because he kept his normal custom of praying 3 times a day.
The King was distraught when Daniel was brought before him. He had to throw Daniel in the lions’ den. Yet, the King had recognized Daniel as being a “servant” of God. He noted Daniel constantly served God. The King expressed God himself would deliver Daniel.
Long and sleepless was the night Daniel spent in the lions’ den. The King called for no distractions and only thought of Daniel’s welfare. The King sought to find Daniel alive at the first light of day when he came calling for him. He found Daniel was alive and well. Daniel declared to the King, “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me.”
Daniel was rescued and God was glorified. Daniel was able to do the impossible, because he had stayed connected to God.
How can you be rescued from your impossible situation? What are some techniques you can incorporate into your life that will display God’s great rescue plan for you?
A comparable New Testament passage that gives you practices to incorporate is found in John 15. In the first 11 verses of this chapter, Jesus is telling the disciples in order to glorify God, they must “abide in me”. Jesus went on to say that when you “abide” in Him, you will display evidence that you are connected to God.
Daniel bore much evidence he had a direct connection to God because God rescued him from the lions’ mouths. You can have this same connection as you consider what Jesus meant by the word “abide”.
The word “abide” in John 15:4 is g3306. menó and means to sojourn, tarry, lodge, be kept, not to depart, continue to be present, dwell. You can see Daniel did all these things regularly. He had a manner of staying joined to God, being in close connection with God, and continually being in God’s presence. It was because of Daniel’s close connection with God that he was rescued from the lions’ mouths. In being rescued, he honored God and displayed evidence he belonged to God.
If you want to display “much fruit” showing you “belong to God” so that you can be rescued from the “lions’ mouths” in your life, the way to do that is to “abide”. As learned from the life of Daniel, he participated in this great rescue because his life was consumed with staying joined to God, being in close connection with God, and continually being in God’s presence. Daniel practiced the connection rituals necessary to keep God with him and himself joined to God. That’s how Daniel was rescued from the lions’ mouths. That is how you also will be rescued from the lions’ mouths.
Begin your “abide” habit today. You never know when the enemies will come after you and throw you in the lions’ den. You want to be mutually connected to God so that He will rescue you and glorify His great name.
Written By: Anne Gurley
