The Lions' Den

I know that this is unimaginative as far as titles go. But the topic i'm about to discuss, in my mind, is far from it. When many think of the lion's den, they immediately think of Daniel and how God delivered him. And while this is the highlight for me as well. Recently, I was intrigued by the behavior of the lions. Allow me to explain.

I recently watched a grueling video on youtube that showed lions hunting and attacking human prey. One male lion was lying down in the grass, appearing to be asleep or at least unassuming of any human activity nearby. The photographer/videographer was (for lack of a better word) intrigued enough to step out of his vehicle to get a closer look/shot of the lion. The lion stayed still as the guy ventured tentatively closer apparantly gaining boldness as he quietly and carefully stepped forward but every now and then he'd stop with less surety as if to break and run at a moments notice. But then it happened, he got too close. The female lion came from nowhere and attacked. The human victim was gone in seconds giving me a glimpse of what happens when lions are hungry.

This is why it was so fascinating to me to revert back to my knowledge of Daniel's experience in the lions' den. The lions' den was a place where hungry lions are kept. They are actually kept hungry on purpose as a deterrant to people breaking the law. The lions know when it is feeding time because a stone is removed from the mouth of the den letting in light. The food is then delivered, at will, to the lions whose natural instinct as hunters has been curtailed by the race to be the first to capture food before it hits the ground.

At the time Daniel was delivered; however, God blocked the lion's ability to eat him by "shutting the lions' mouths." This is interesting to me because every fiber of the lions nature had to be subdued during a time when they were hungry. Not only that, but it had to be subdued while food was sitting right in front of them. But the lions were obedient and would not eat. Hungry or not, what God said not to touch, they did not touch. The behavior not only tested the lions, but it showed me what happens when you give yourself over to full obedience to God.

Allow me to give you an example that puts it into perspective. As a single woman of God, sometimes it gives me great pleasure to dream about my wedding. There are men out there; however, that God does not want me to touch. But as a human I realize that sometimes my hunger for having companionship in my life can overpower my desire to be obedient. And i'm tested all the time. Men are placed in front of me continuously. And I find myself wanting to date, wanting to explore. There are plenty wrong men to date. However, it is my intent to allow God to shut my mouth. Even though i'm hungry, i've learned it is better to wait for God.

Speaking of better, the Bible indicates that after Daniel was removed from the lions' den, the king commanded those men who accused Daniel, their wives, and their children to replace Daniel. The lions feasted on them, breaking all their bones in pieces, before they made it to the bottom of the den. Once again fascinating me, to actually understand the level of the lions hunger described in such a manner. Had they eaten Daniel, they would have had to share one body, possibly even still being hungry, and possibly not having enough for all the lions to eat. They would have never known or fully trusted that God could deliver and the lions would have never feasted so much. Full grown lions would have fought over one body. But instead, they trusted God and God delivered. Yet again, demonstrating God's unlimited knowledge and power. He made the lions wait, with food in front of them, and as a reward for their obedience they were all fully fed.

I trust too, that God's unlimited knowledge and power will show just as generously in my life. As I watch and remain hungry with food in front of me, i'll keep reminding myself of the obedience of the lions, and expect to be rewarded with a full satisfying meal at the end of my testing period. No silly, not that God will deliver multiple men for me to feast on but that my God will supply all my need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus. Knowing God's record, just like with the lions, the person he has for me will be worth the wait.