Welcome to another day the Lord has made that we should rejoice and be glad in. (Psalms 118:24)

The Holy Spirit led me to the story of Daniel in the Lion’s den to peer into the rest of the innocent.

Today’s scripture, Daniel 6:16-24 (NLT) shares…
[16] So at last the king gave orders for Daniel to be arrested and thrown into the den of lions. The king said to him, “May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you.” [17] A stone was brought and placed over the mouth of the den. The king sealed the stone with his own royal seal and the seals of his nobles, so that no one could rescue Daniel. [18] Then the king returned to his palace and spent the night fasting. He refused his usual entertainment and couldn’t sleep at all that night. [19] Very early the next morning, the king got up and hurried out to the lions’ den. [20] When he got there, he called out in anguish, “Daniel, servant of the living God! Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” [21] Daniel answered, “Long live the king! [22] My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.” [23] The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God. [24] Then the king gave orders to arrest the men who had maliciously accused Daniel. He had them thrown into the lions’ den, along with their wives and children. The lions leaped on them and tore them apart before they even hit the floor of the den.

Consider…
I find it interesting that King Darius was worried about doing what he knew was wrong, while Daniel rested in knowing he did what was right.

Daniel made me think of the exhortation in 1 Peter 3:15-17 (NLT)…
[15] Instead, you must worship Christ as Lord of your life. And if someone asks about your hope as a believer, always be ready to explain it. [16] But do this in a gentle and respectful way. Keep your conscience clear. Then if people speak against you, they will be ashamed when they see what a good life you live because you belong to Christ. [17] Remember, it is better to suffer for doing good, if that is what God wants, than to suffer for doing wrong!

Notice we’re told it’s better to suffer for doing good than doing wrong. Daniel was living proof of that testimony.

Although we’re saved by grace, how we live and what we do matters to God. That’s why 2 Peter 1:3-7 (NLT) exhorts…
[3] By his divine power, God has given us everything we need for living a godly life. We have received all of this by coming to know him, the one who called us to himself by means of his marvelous glory and excellence. [4] And because of his glory and excellence, he has given us great and precious promises. These are the promises that enable you to share his divine nature and escape the world’s corruption caused by human desires. [5] In view of all this, make every effort to respond to God’s promises. Supplement your faith with a generous provision of moral excellence, and moral excellence with knowledge, [6] and knowledge with self-control, and self-control with patient endurance, and patient endurance with godliness, [7] and godliness with brotherly affection, and brotherly affection with love for everyone.

These verses show me God wants our outward walk to align with inward faith. That makes me think, although we walk by faith and not by sight, others should see the Holy Spirit’s fruit in our lives.

As a reminder, Galatians 5:22-23 (NLT) says…
[22] But the Holy Spirit produces this kind of fruit in our lives: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, [23] gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against these things!

Notice, God’s attributes should be visible in our lives, and they exceed all man-made laws or standards.

Furthermore, the Apostle Paul also exhorts believers in Ephesians 4:1-2 (NLT)…
[1] Therefore I, a prisoner for serving the Lord, beg you to lead a life worthy of your calling, for you have been called by God. [2] Always be humble and gentle. Be patient with each other, making allowance for each other’s faults because of your love.

Paul’s exhortation stated another way is to be true to who God called you to be. Daniel modeled that standard God wants believers to live by. I say that because Daniel declared in verse 22 today…
“My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty.”

The Holy Spirit took this opportunity to emphasize, when you know that you’re suffering for doing right in God’s sight, you can rest no matter what happens.

That makes me want to live in a way to be able to say with the David in Psalms 17:2-5, 15 (NLT)…
[2] Declare me innocent, for you see those who do right. [3] You have tested my thoughts and examined my heart in the night. You have scrutinized me and found nothing wrong. I am determined not to sin in what I say. [4] I have followed your commands, which keep me from following cruel and evil people. [5] My steps have stayed on your path; I have not wavered from following you.
[15] Because I am righteous, I will see you. When I awake, I will see you face to face and be satisfied.

The last thing the Holy Spirit highlighted from today’s scripture was the good that came from Daniel’s Lion’s den experience. Verse 23 says…
The king was overjoyed and ordered that Daniel be lifted from the den. Not a scratch was found on him, for he had trusted in his God.

Notice, Daniel’s restful confidence in doing right in the LORD’s sight allowed his light to shine and Heavenly Father to be glorified like Jesus instructed in Matthew 5:16 (NIV)…
[16] In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

The Holy Spirit expounded, we can rest in doing right in God’s sight because Romans 8:28 (NLT) promises…
[28] And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.

So today, regardless of the threats or unfair things that may happen to you for doing right in God’s sight, remember Daniel and confidently rest in the fact that God will be with you and protect you from all hurt, harm and danger.

Today’s song is…
Confidence

Blessings 4HG (1 Corinthians 10:31)