TURMOIL IN THE LION’S DEN AND HOW TO SURVIVE

Have you been there? Are you there now? What does turmoil look like to you? When you experience turmoil in your life you may feel everything is topsy-turvy, agitated, confused, and there is disorder. Then all those feelings lead to fear. How do I get out of this mess? Who’s going to help me? It’s turmoil in the lion’s den.

Which way do I turn? What sent Daniel to the lion’s den? Daniel’s enemies knew that Daniel was faithful to pray continually to his God. So. they devised a plan to go to the king and have a decree signed that could not be changed. The decree said that anyone who ask a petition (prayed) of any God for thirty days, would be cast into the den of lions. It was the only thing that those who hated Daniel could find to cause him to be at fault, his faithfulness. So here we have turmoil in the lion’s den and you need to know how to survive. You are going there and you know you are. How do you survive the lion’s den?

The Little Things

We rarely see a lion unless it’s in a zoo. But we read in 1 Peter 5:8, Be sober, be vigilant. Why? Because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. The world that we are in; is our lion’s den. The devil goes about setting traps for us to fall into. For example: I sang the song “Blessed” at the singing in the park. I totally meant it. I am blessed when I wake up in the morning and when I lay my head to rest. So, do you think that made me invincible to problems, trials, and turmoil? NO. My husband hit a snag in the road coming back from unloading equipment at the church. The car was stopped in the road and would go no further. It was about a half-a-mile from our house.

Okay so I prayed. “Lord please don’t let the motor be locked up.” We got the car home and my brother-in-law came by the next morning to take a look at it. He said “I think the motor is locked up”. My sister reminded me of the song I was singing at the park. It sure seemed odd that this happened. We contacted our insurance company We are covered and so was the tow bill! And our deductible is only $250. So, I am waiting and trusting that God will complete the job on the car and in me. In the meantime, we’re sharing our truck, so my husband and I are doing just fine.

Things Begin to Add Up

That wasn’t the only thing that happened. A few days later as my husband was helping me brush the pool he looked down at his hand and said, “My ring, its gone!” We looked all around the outside of the pool but did not find it. Now that was a little upsetting to me. We haven’t quite reached the six-month anniversary. But I just said it’s probably in the pool and he said he thought so too. But our pool was so green you couldn’t see inside and the water was too cold to get in and search for it. Some might think this is no biggie and you wouldn’t get upset by this. But it was another thing with all the other small things that was popping up.

By Saturday the pool was warmer so I brave the pool, which was still green, with a pair of leggings and long sleeve UT tee shirt and some socks. So, I start moving around the floor and sweeping it with my feet. Yuck. Oops I felt something and I picked it up with my toes. “It’s your ring Alan!” Yes, it was, but only half of it. It was the diamond half and after moving my feet around some more I found the other half. So, we checked with the store we bought it at and they said to bring it in.

Bigger Problems

Someone might say that’s nothing to deal with. That’s no lion’s den. I am not making light of anyone problems. Sometimes even the seemly little issues can seem overwhelming, especially if you have recently come out of some worse and more tragic situations: My first husband of forty-four years passed away almost five years ago. I have that grown up child that died from Covid that was in good health, a minister, and an all-around good guy that went about doing good for others. During this same year, my family lost our dad that was a pastor sixty some years. But God did go with me through it all and even warned me of some of the things I was going to face.

Back to the book of Daniel. Daniel did what he had always done.  He went home and prayed three times that day and gave thanks to God, just as he always did. You can read the full account in Daniel 6:16-28. So, we read Daniel had a habit of praying three times a day. Don’t wait until you are in the lion’s den to Pray!

Survival Kit

The first thing you need to survive the pitfalls of the lion’s den is a current prayer life. 1 Thessalonians 5:16 says we should rejoice always, pray without ceasing, in everything give thanks; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you. From this verse we should remember to rejoice always. That doesn’t say to rejoice for everything, but rejoice always whether there is something going on or not. Next, always be thankful and again it does not say for everything but in everything.

Innocent before God

Daniel speaks God’s verdict. “My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Oh, that we could always say, “I was innocent before God and I have done no one any wrong.” If you want that for your life you will need the prayer life of Daniel. Keep your relationship right with God so that when turmoil comes you have confidence to call on God for help – like Daniel did.

Jesus said, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”(Luke 9:23) Apostle Paul said, “I die daily.” (1 Cor. 15.31) I want to take up my cross and follow Christ. And be like Paul; die daily. That’s what will make you innocent. Matthew 6:11,12 when Jesus taught the disciples to pray, He said, Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors.

Conclusion

In order to have peace in the lion’s den and to survive I must pray daily, forgive others and ask for forgiveness of God over my life. I will rejoice and give thanks in everything. It takes real commitment. That will make me innocent and it will make you innocent too. The conclusion of the matter is to fear God and keep His commandments. Eccl. 12:13