GOD RESCUES, SAVES, PERFORMS SIGNS & WONDERS

He rescues and He saves; He performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth.  He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.  Daniel 6:27  NIV

Have you ever been ‘fed to the wolves’ or thrown into a ‘den of lions?’  Maybe not literally, but definitely figuratively.

A meeting where it turned south and you suddenly became the meal of lies, betrayal and accusations?  Or, with a friendship that was going along good until it wasn’t?  Or staring down an MRI machine with its immensity and loud sounds?

We may not have wolves or lions breathing down our backs trying to eat us for lunch, but we do have very trying situations.  And we feel at a loss, scared and terrified.

How do we walk in confidence knowing God is with us?  How do we completely trust the outcome of the situation, knowing it could go well or very, very badly?

Let’s look at Daniel.  In chapter one we read:

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine.  Dan 1:8  NIV

He drew the line in the sand years before he ever had an encounter with the lions.  He made a decision which would define his life.  He purposed in his heart to follow God – not matter what.  And this decision was put to the test numerous times in his life which we can read about in the book of Daniel.

Not only was he threatened with the den of lions, he was also threatened with being cut into pieces and his house burned to the ground.  His friends – Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, were faced with a fiery furnace because they would not bow down to an image of gold.  A massive image made by King Nebuchadnezzar with its sole purpose for idol worship and feeding pride for the king.

These 4 men (we can assume the three friends purposed in their hearts as well because they behaved in the same manner as Daniel) made the decision before they needed to act upon it.

What would that look like today?

It would be walking away from gossip.  It would be trusting God even when you do not see the outcome of your impossible situation.  It would be letting go of a relationship because you have tried everything and that loved one still chooses the wrong path or pain over freedom in Christ.

It would be praying and continuing to pray for help.  It would be remembering that our God is a wall of fire around us – walking in complete trust knowing you are in the center of that fire.

When Daniel was brought before King Darius in chapter 6, he was there because he had defied a newly published edict about praying - the citizens were only allowed to pray to King Darius.

Darius did not come up with this plan, but his administrators did.  They didn’t like Daniel or what he stood for.  They wanted to see him go down – his character was stellar and his walk was one of integrity, so they decided to attack his relationship with the One True God. (Daniel 6:3-5)

The king agreed to this sinister plan – Daniel learned of it and what did he do?  He continued to do what he always did:

He went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem.  Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before.  Daniel 6:10

He prayed.  He was resolute and steadfast.  He did not waiver in unbelief but put his trust fully in God.  Come what may.

At this point he knew he was in open defiance against that edict, but he chose to obey God rather than man.  He chose to continue his habit of prayer.  He chose obedience in what mattered most – loving God and Him only.

He did not know he would come out alive from the lions’ den.  He only knew he needed to obey God. 

We do not know if his three friends were still alive or even in Babylon at the time.  We can assume he was alone in this.  But he was not alone.  God was with him.

Because God has said, “I will never leave you nor forsake you.”  Hebrews 13:5

What about us?  Do we find ourselves in a situation where compromise is on the table and expected?  Do we crumble under pressure, or do we take a stand, however wobbly at first, for Jesus?

In our lives we will face challenges, trials, accusations and betrayals.  We will be mocked and critiqued because we are different – especially if we live our lives according to God’s standard and not the world’s.

How then shall we live?  Under a rock?  In a cave?  In a bubble?  At times this sounds pleasant as it is away from prying eyes.  But we are called to be His witnesses, which means living out among people.

We can start today by purposing in our hearts to obey God and serve Him only.  We can allow Him to do His work in us.  We can trust His goodness and His sovereignty and know He works all things together for His glory and our good.

And we can know that even I we are thrown into a lions’ den – we are not alone in that den and Jesus is quite capable of shutting the mouths of the lions.

And we can say: God rescues.  God saves.  God performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth.

Because He does. For you. For me. For all.

PRAYER

Father God, You are amazing. I do stand in awe of You and I want to thank You for all that You have done, are doing and will do in my life. I trust You. Now. And for my future. I am not alone for You are with me.