Introduction

The way our God is portrayed throughout the Book of Daniel demonstrates one thing: God reigns in the kingdoms of men, and He controls the removal and establishment of kings. Can He then manage our lives? If God has authority in human kingdoms, shouldn't He have even more authority over those of us who trust in Him? However, not many have such faith. Daniel is one of them, and his response is quite interesting. The theme of this chapter is: God protects and delivers people, performing miracles and wonders in heaven and on earth.

God saved Daniel from the lions' den. This is a very meaningful event, so I will briefly go through Daniel chapter 6 to explain what happened. Daniel was a man of prayer with a very good spirit and was very reliable in his actions. Spiritual people are very dependable, and a person with a good spirit will also be intellectually astute.

Many people think that having a good spirit is like shamanistic practices, where things can be done haphazardly. They think that is spirituality, but it is not. Daniel had a profound spirit, which meant his ability to comprehend things was very strong. As a result, he governed the kingdom very well, which caused many to become jealous. King Darius appointed 120 satraps and three high officials, one of whom was Daniel, so that these satraps would report to them and the king would not suffer any loss.

As a result, Daniel did his job well, and these officials and satraps became very jealous. They sought to find grounds for accusing Daniel of mismanaging the kingdom, but they could not. Consequently, these cunning individuals looked for it in his God's law and began to plot to kill Daniel. They went to King Darius, and they did not say, I want to kill Daniel. It's all political maneuvering. They said:

So these high officials and satraps came by agreement to the king and said to him, “O King Darius, live forever! All the high officials of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the counselors and the governors are agreed that the king should establish an ordinance and enforce an interdict, that whoever makes petition to any god or man for thirty days, except to you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions. Now, O king, establish the interdict and sign the document, so that it cannot be changed, according to the law of the Medes and the Persians, which cannot be revoked.” (Daniel 6:6-8)

King Darius did not think it through and issued this decree. After it was enacted and sealed with the royal signet ring, did Daniel know about it? Yes, he knew that these people wanted to get rid of him. Daniel continued to kneel before God three times a day, opening his windows and praying to God, as he had always done.

What happened then? Those men came before the king and said that Daniel had violated the king's decree, which had been sealed, by praying three times a day. He should be thrown into the lions' den. Upon hearing this, the king realized he had been tricked and was greatly distressed. He wanted to save Daniel but could not find a way. Only God could save his minister, Daniel.

The men came to the king, saying, O king, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, no decree or ordinance that the king establishes can be changed. There was no solution, and the king had to order Daniel to be thrown into the lions' den. He said something very interesting: Daniel, may your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you! In other words, King Darius also placed his faith in God, as he saw no other way.

So the king gave the order, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the den of lions. The king said to Daniel, “Your God whom you serve continually, He will rescue you.” (Daniel 6:16)

Do not think that emperors can do whatever they want. Even as an emperor, Darius could not save Daniel. Why? Because the decrees and laws had already been established. The king returned to his palace, unable to eat or sleep. Early the next morning, he rushed to the lions' den. The king was anxious and did not care about protocol because Daniel had truly helped him devise strategies and solve many problems.

King Darius asked, Daniel, has your God saved you from the lions? Daniel replied, O king, live forever! My God sent his angel and shut the mouths of the lions, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no wrong. The king was overjoyed and said, Wow, what kind of God is this? He immediately ordered Daniel to be pulled up from the den.

The king then commanded that those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, along with their wives and children, be brought and thrown into the lions' den, and the lions immediately devoured them, crushing all their bones. It is interesting. Our God is truly powerful. Later, King Darius issued a decree that everyone should fear and tremble before the God of Daniel because He is the living God who endures forever. King Darius had previously served as a minister before King Nebuchadnezzar and King Belshazzar. After Belshazzar was killed, Darius succeeded him as king. Daniel prospered greatly during the reign of Darius and Cyrus the Persian.

Our God Protects and Delivers People, Performing Miracles and Wonders in Heaven and on Earth

Our God protects and delivers people, performing miracles and wonders in heaven and on earth, but many do not believe it. Some years ago, a young woman who had mild depression came to us and was healed. God also blessed her work, and it is rare not to be blessed among us. When her parents came to Singapore and saw that their daughter had become a Christian, they were very upset. I had a long talk with her father, and he said that his uncle had become a Christian many years ago and had been very unlucky and miserable ever since. He said that everyone in their village who became a Christian had a bad experience, so he did not want his daughter to suffer the same fate.

I asked him, Have you seen your daughter suffer? He said no. Then what are you worried about? We can cite many examples of Christians who have had miserable lives after becoming Christians. I know of several such cases myself, but what does that prove? The problem is that we who believe in the Lord are not like Daniel, are we?

I can give you examples from the Old Testament. Abraham trusted in God, and what was the result? He was truly remarkable. He defeated four kings with his 318 trained men. These four kings had previously defeated five kings, which means that Abraham and his men were capable of defeating both the four kings and the five kings.

What am I saying? Abraham was very powerful. Later, Isaac, Jacob, and others were also very powerful. They were not poor; do not think they loved money. They did not love money, nor were they poor. Later, Joseph became the prime minister of Egypt and was also very successful. All these people were protected by God. Then, David was also very powerful. So, what do we see in the Bible? We see that God reigns in the kingdoms of men, and all who trust in Him are protected and delivered by Him.

All Who Trust in Him Are Protected and Delivered by Him

During the New Year, I drew cards for some brothers and sisters. One of the cards said, Character determines destiny. There are not many with Daniel's character, nor are there many with Joseph's or Jacob's character. The problem is that many of us, although we believe in the Lord, when it comes to being like Daniel, we think, Who can do that? If you were like Daniel, you would certainly experience God's protection and deliverance. Even if you were thrown into the lions' den, God would surely deliver you.

Some say that many Christians in the Roman Empire were thrown into the Colosseum and killed by beasts. What does that prove? It does not negate the fact that our God protects and delivers people, performing miracles and wonders in heaven and on earth. We often have a bad habit of using certain events to argue that God is not a good God.

I have seen some people, when preaching, try to find points to argue that our God does not protect, deliver, or heal people. They say, Look, the Apostle Paul was sick! If God is a healing God, why was Paul not healed? Many people use such faith to argue against God, and the result is that God does not protect or deliver people, is that correct? No, it is not. What we need is to believe that our God protects and delivers people like Daniel. In the Old Testament, as well as in the New Testament, we can see how God delivers people.

I want to say to everyone, if you were Daniel, would you still insist on praying to God even after the king had issued this decree? Would you do that? Some say, That's a bit difficult! Aren't you telling us to be flexible? Then don't pray at this time! Don't touch it. But let's look at Daniel; Daniel continued to do it. Why? Because he knew that his God would protect and deliver him. What was the end result? Those who threw Daniel into the lions' den were thrown into the lions' den. They wanted to harm Daniel, but they were eliminated.

We must know that our God reigns in the kingdoms of men, and the end of those who resist God's people or deal with God's people is not good. What is your outcome after you deal with Daniel? Such situations have occurred many times in human history. There was a Roman Emperor named Nero, who lived during the time of Paul and had Paul beheaded. This emperor later experienced very great disasters and also did not have a good death.

So, what should we see in history? It is normal for someone who trusts and loves God to experience some persecution and unusual events. But if we can trust in God as Daniel did, our God will surely protect us and deliver us. For example, in such a situation, Daniel continued to pray three times a day. What I did before, I will continue to do today. What was the result? The king could not save him; he had no choice but to throw him into the lions' den.

What happened then? The mouths of the lions were shut by our God, preventing the lions from harming Daniel. This is too wonderful! Is this contrary to common sense? No, our God truly reigns in the kingdoms of men. If our God cannot even shut the mouths of lions, what else can our God do? Sometimes, we see certain things and try to deny them, but who knows that our God is using these things to reveal very profound truths to us? These truths sound shocking to us.

In fact, people like Daniel and Joseph are specially favored by God. Has anyone been thrown into the lions’ den and been killed by lions? There are many. But I think, do we know that person well? We don't know that person very well; these stories don't prove anything.

Since we want to trust in God, let's trust to the extent that Daniel did, and you will surely experience God's preservation and protection. When I drew another card, what did it say? It talked about Psalm 91.

He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High will abide in the shadow of the Almighty. I will say to the Lord, “My refuge and my fortress, my God, in whom I trust.” For he will deliver you from the snare of the fowler and from the deadly pestilence. He will cover you with his pinions, and under his wings you will find refuge; his faithfulness is a shield and buckler. You will not fear the terror of the night, nor the arrow that flies by day, nor the pestilence that stalks in darkness, nor the destruction that wastes at noonday. A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. You will only look with your eyes and see the recompense of the wicked. Because you have made the Lord your dwelling place—the Most High, who is my refuge—no evil shall be allowed to befall you, no plague come near your tent. For he will command his angels concerning you to guard you in all your ways. (Psalm 91:1-11)

How well said! Let me tell you what this is saying: it is the personal experience of many who trust in God! No matter what else happens, I still believe that God is such a God, and God will surely preserve me, protect me, and deliver me! Performing miracles and wonders in heaven and on earth. Our God reigns in the kingdoms of men; can't He even manage such a small matter? But if God has to prepare me to die for Him, like Jesus Christ being crucified on the cross, that is to prepare me for great glory. Why? Because He is preparing me for a crown of glory. I think we must know one thing: our God can shut the mouths of lions; we don't need to be afraid.

When I first became a Christian, I was assigned to a small group, and I studied the Bible with them. We had a small group meeting once a week. There was a young couple in this small group, about my age, and they lived quite prosperously. What happened then? The girl's mother died, and we went to the wake to visit them. When we saw it, oh my goodness! She and her husband were wearing mourning clothes and performing rituals with a group of Taoist priests. I said, What is this? I was very shocked at the time.

We all know that Christians cannot worship the dead or idols. So, what are you doing with this? I can understand that they faced tremendous pressure within the family. What happened then? They chose to compromise. They felt, what if they offended everyone in the family? As a result, this offended God!

Although I left the small group, I still had occasional contact with them. Many years later, I learned that the girl had a miscarriage every time she became pregnant and then got cancer herself. She experienced tribulations that were beyond what ordinary people could endure. Why? Because people do not believe that God will deliver us. In fact, it was not a big deal; it was just that people in the family might gossip about you.

As for me, I do not worship these things. I will not wear mourning clothes; does that represent filial piety? It is just a ritual. I will say that I am a Christian, and I have my own way of worshiping my ancestors and my parents. You do it your way, and I will do it my way. What is my way? Buy some flowers and put them there, and that's it. In fact, I think that after people die, it doesn't matter what you do; it doesn't have much meaning, but that's just what I say.

But what am I trying to say? Why do many Christians experience calamities? The calamities they experience are really not because God wants to give them a crown of glory, but because they are not people like Daniel. They do not have Daniel's determination in the face of such situations. Did Daniel not know that the king had issued a decree, that it had been sealed, and that such a law had been established? He knew.

Why did he still do it? Because that was Daniel's faith: I trust in my God, and I know that my God will surely preserve me. Even if He does not, I will not act according to the orders of those people. Even if the emperor issues a decree sealed with the royal signet ring, I will still not obey it. Why? Because I must pray to my God three times a day. Many Christians today cannot do it. Why? Because they are afraid! Daniel had long put life and death out of his mind; if he died, he died, and if he lived, it didn't matter. As long as I live, I will trust in my God.

But today, if we carefully look at the lifestyles of many Christians, not to mention being thrown into the lions' den, even if their work is slightly affected, they will be terrified. They do not know that God reigns in the kingdoms of men. We see Daniel, and what was the result? After this incident, did Daniel rise or fall in rank? He rose again.

Why? Because he was a person with a strong spirit, so his comprehension was very good, and many of the decisions he made were very powerful and wise! So, King Darius also admired Daniel very much.

Then King Darius wrote to all the peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth: “Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people are to tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end. He delivers and rescues; he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has saved Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:25-27)

Is it powerful? Let's start thinking about one thing: do you want to be a Christian like Daniel, or do you want to be that kind of Christian who is like a bottle that is half full, sloshing around? When being a Christian, don't just be muddle through. What kind of person should you be? Be like the Apostle Paul! Be like Daniel! Be like Daniel's three friends! Be like Joseph! Be like Jacob! Why be a poor, wretched Christian? That road is so difficult to walk!

Be a Christian Who Never Retreats and Never Compromises

Brothers and sisters, can you restore the faith like Daniel? Clearly knowing in your heart that our God reigns in the kingdom of men and takes the first place? He sets up kings and deposes kings. Who else do we need to fear? If God is for us, who can be against us? Isn't it? If God helps us, what can't be accomplished? Brothers and sisters, begin to know one thing, that if you simply trust in our God, you will definitely be a very spiritual person! If you are a spiritual person, you will definitely be very, very reliable in what you do.

We must know, what was the end of those who opposed Daniel, those who framed Daniel? The end was not good! All our brothers and sisters must know one thing, if we see through the matters of eternity and simply trust in God in this world, death is far away from you! If your destiny has not been completed, and the task God has given you has not been done, it is difficult for you to die, isn't it?

In fact, a Christian should think that departing from this world and being with the Lord is far better. If we really have such a mindset, we will be like Daniel, even if the king's decree is sealed, I will still worship our God. In fact, when Daniel was thrown into the lion's den, he did not cry out for injustice or anything, because Daniel simply did not care about this matter, so he was not panicked at all, wasn't he? He was calmly thrown into the lion's den. What if it were you? Would you be yelling and screaming? If a person is greedy for living in this world, I tell you, it is very hard for you to be a Christian. If you are not greedy for the days in this world, not greedy for the enjoyment of the world, wouldn't you live better?

Summary

May our brothers and sisters, after reading Daniel chapter 6, know that our God can send angels to shut the mouths of lions, so that they cannot harm us. What a wonderful thing! In fact, I have not experienced the lion's den, but I have experienced many other things, like these taekwondo masters, sumo wrestlers, those big guys weighing two or three hundred pounds, the demons manifest in them, desperately controlling their hands to strangle me. If they grabbed me and sat on me, I would be crushed to death. But what was the result? The demons could not hurt me. Why? God's power blocked their hands.

After they were released, I asked them: Hey, what were you doing? He said: The demon inside me wanted to strangle you! I said: Then why didn't you grab me? He said: I couldn't grab you! There was a wall of iron blocking you. I said God, you are great! You can protect me like this! If it were not for your protection, your rescue, your shelter, I would have been crushed to death by them, with such big palms and fingers like carrots.

When we experience one spiritual thing after another, we should have more and more faith in God! Our faith determines the strength of God's release among us. Finally, I encourage you to learn one thing well, that is, to be a Christian like Daniel, never compromising and never retreating! May God bless everyone.