spiritual battle, Angel in the Lion's Den (Dan.6)

The Medes invaded Babylon and took over the kingdom.  King Darius wisely put three dependable men in charge of the entire country.  Undoubtedly he had heard of Daniel's reputation and trusted him.  And then as Daniel continued to prove himself, Darius wanted to promote him to the highest position.

And naturally, within any hierarchy, one experiences politics, envy, and anger...

(Daniel 6:1-15)  It seemed good to Darius to appoint 120 satraps over the kingdom, that they would be in charge of the whole kingdom, 2 and over them three commissioners (of whom Daniel was one), that these satraps might be accountable to them, and that the king might not suffer loss. 3 Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. 4 Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him. 5 Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God.”

6 Then these commissioners and satraps came by agreement to the king and spoke to him as follows: “King Darius, live forever! 7 All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den. 8 Now, O king, establish the injunction and sign the document so that it may not be changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” 9 Therefore King Darius signed the document, that is, the injunction.

10 Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously. 11 Then these men came by agreement and found Daniel making petition and supplication before his God. 12 Then they approached and spoke before the king about the king’s injunction, “Did you not sign an injunction that any man who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, is to be cast into the lions’ den?” The king replied, “The statement is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which may not be revoked.” 13 Then they answered and spoke before the king, “Daniel, who is one of the exiles from Judah, pays no attention to you, O king, or to the injunction which you signed, but keeps making his petition three times a day.”

14 Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. 15 Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed.”

We are not told enough to know if king Darius became a believer, but he definitely believed that Daniel's God is eternal and is able to do anything. 

And we are not told enough about the angel which was sent to protect Daniel from the lions.  It could have been just an angel, or it could have been THE angel of the Lord (Jesus pre-incarnate).  A lot of versions use "His angel", while some other versions use "an angel"...

(Daniel 6:16-28)  Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you.” 17 A stone was brought and laid over the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signet rings of his nobles, so that nothing would be changed in regard to Daniel. 18 Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him.

19 Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. 20 When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?” 21 Then Daniel spoke to the king, “O king, live forever! 22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime.” 23 Then the king was very pleased and gave orders for Daniel to be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den and no injury whatever was found on him, because he had trusted in his God. 24 The king then gave orders, and they brought those men who had maliciously accused Daniel, and they cast them, their children and their wives into the lions’ den; and they had not reached the bottom of the den before the lions overpowered them and crushed all their bones.

25 Then Darius the king wrote to all the peoples, nations and men of every language who were living in all the land: “May your peace abound! 26 I make a decree that in all the dominion of my kingdom men are to fear and tremble before the God of Daniel;

For He is the living God and enduring forever, and His kingdom is one which will not be destroyed, and His dominion will be forever.
27 “He delivers and rescues and performs signs and wonders in heaven and on earth, who has also delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.”

28 So this Daniel enjoyed success in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

From this we see:
- God can use angels to protect us from animals

Personal experience:  while I was on the mission field, I was sometimes sent to the small island of Vieques, where - at the time - there were horses as well as Brahma bulls running wild and free. 

The horses were more tame, as caballeros would catch them, ride them, and then set them free again.  But the Brahma bulls were left alone, so they pretty much kept to the fields and bushes near the secluded beaches.  And the warning was simple - stay away from them!!!

There was a particular beach that had really good waves for body surfing.  For a missionary, that equates to free entertainment!  But this beach was in one of the more secluded areas.  Typically the most I ever had to deal with were herds of hermit crabs crossing my pathway.  That, and the lava rock which randomly jutted out of the ground.  But one day, when I was more than halfway to my destination, I came face to face with a Brahma bull.

I stopped short, and immediately started praying.  What should I do???!!!  It didn't matter which direction I would walk - I would remain a target for a nice long time.  THAT and I was barefoot!  There weren't any good or "better" options.

I tried not to make eye-contact with the bull, but I knew it was staring me down. 

"Lord, tell me what to do!!!"  And I started to walk - calmly - slowly - - very slowly - - - in the direction toward the beach.  It took over ten minutes to get out of sight.  The Brahma bull never moved.  And on my return, it was no longer there.  I would not be surprised if God had used an angel in this scenario.  Nonetheless, God kept me safe and calm.

Today's takeaway:  Daniel made a statement about God protecting him from the lions - inasmuch as he "was found innocent before Him; and also toward" the king. 

So often people ask God to provide for them, protect them or sort out their issues - while they continue to act unwisely and disobediently - - - and then they wonder why God doesn't answer their prayers.

Even when we are living within God's will, God will still allow tests to come our way.  But God does promise this for those who do honor, fear and love Him...

(Malachi 3:10)  “Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows."

(Psalm 34:7)  The angel of the Lord encamps around those who fear Him, and rescues them.

(Romans 8:28)  And we know that God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.