Page 170 - Daniel

“lamentable” or “sad.” He feared that there would be nothing but silence
and the growl of the lions in response to his call.

DANIEL’S DELIVERANCE (6:21–23)

6:21–23 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever! My God
sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed
me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O
king, I have done no harm.” Then the king was exceedingly glad, and
commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was
taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him,

because he had trusted in his God.

For the first time in the chapter, Daniel spoke as he called out in
response to the king. And what an amazing response it was! In contrast
to the king’s anguish, Daniel calmly answered with the usual courteous
greeting, “O king, live forever!” Most people in Daniel’s predicament
would have immediately cried out for deliverance from the lions. But

Daniel informed the king of the miracle God had done on his behalf.
Daniel attributed this not only to the power of God, but to the fact that
he was innocent of any crime either against God or the king.
As He had with Daniel’s three friends, God sent a supernatural being

to protect and deliver His faithful servant. “How Darius conceived of
such an agent is not clear, but the Scriptures teach that angels are spirit
32
beings, created by God for the purpose of serving Him.” God didn’t
take away the lions’ hunger; He sent His heavenly messenger to keep
their mouths closed and their paws away from Daniel.

King Darius was overjoyed at the deliverance of his favorite counselor
and immediately ordered Daniel removed from the den. The aged man of
God emerged before the unbelieving eyes of the king and his servants
without a scratch because of his faith in God (Heb. 11:32–33). Just as

the flames had not been able even to bring the smell of smoke upon
Daniel’s companions in chapter 3, so the lions were not permitted to
touch the prophet of God.

DANIEL’S ENEMIES DESTROYED (6:24)