Middle school · Day 5 of 5
God Shut the Lions' Mouths
Read: Daniel 6:16-27 (KJV)
16Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee. 17And a stone was brought, and laid upon the mouth of the den; and the king sealed it with his own signet, and with the signet of his lords; that the purpose might not be changed concerning Daniel. 18Then the king went to his palace, and passed the night fasting: neither were instruments of musick brought before him: and his sleep went from him. 19Then the king arose very early in the morning, and went in haste unto the den of lions. 20And when he came to the den, he cried with a lamentable voice unto Daniel: and the king spake and said to Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions? 21Then said Daniel unto the king, O king, live for ever. 22My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt. 23Then was the king exceeding glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. 24And the king commanded, and they brought those men which had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions, them, their children, and their wives; and the lions had the mastery of them, and brake all their bones in pieces or ever they came at the bottom of the den. 25Then king Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in all the earth; Peace be multiplied unto you. 26I make a decree, That in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast for ever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end. 27He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
Read the whole chapter ›What it means
Because Daniel kept praying, he was thrown into a den of hungry lions. The king could not sleep all night. Early in the morning, he ran to the den and called out, and Daniel answered, "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths." Daniel was not hurt at all because he trusted God. Then the king wrote to the whole kingdom telling everyone to honor Daniel's God! Your courage can point other people to Jesus. When you stay faithful, people notice, even if they do not say anything. Being brave like Daniel does not mean you are never afraid. It means you trust a God who is bigger than any lion. That same God is with you at school, at home, and everywhere you go.
Key verse
“My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt.”
Daniel 6:22 (KJV)
Think about it
- How do you think Daniel felt during that night in the lions' den?
- How did Daniel's faithfulness affect the king and the whole kingdom?
- After this week, what is one way you want to be brave for God?
Pray
God, thank You that You are bigger than anything I face. Help me trust You like Daniel did. Let my faith point my friends and family to You. Make me brave for Your glory. Amen.