Brave Like Daniel - in the Lion's Den

Iron fists gripped his forearms, hustling him down the stony path behind the palace.

Lush greenery grew in the tended grounds, pristine pools reflected scarlet skies, and brilliant blooms crowded around elaborate statutory. The pathway continued past this tamed beauty, towards the stark prison.  Daniel swallowed hard. He knew he was not destined to languish beyond bolted doors. His fate was behind the stone prison.

     The guards pushed him roughly, even though he didn't resist them. As they rounded the prison, Daniel saw men in fine robes and gold necklaces, arrayed in a line so that they had a clear view as he was shoved and jostled. Every face was cruelly smug.

     Fools! He thought angrily to himself as he shook his head. They were so concerned with their own position as satraps over the kingdom, so jealous of Daniel's favor with the king, that they were blind to the true source of his wisdom and understanding.

     Daniel's eyes were drawn inexorably to a hole in the ground. It was only a little wider than a man, and gaped like a black, hungry mouth. He did his best to smother the tremble that ran down his limbs. He knew what was down there. He summoned every ounce of his courage.

     His friends had walked away unharmed when King Nebuchadnezzar had thrown them in the fiery furnace. Like them, I am in your hands, Lord, he prayed.

     Standing near the opening was Darius himself, king of the Babylonians, the Medes and the Persians. Below his golden crown, his eyes were sorrowful. Daniel knew the king regretted his prideful decree that no one pray to any god save the king. His kingly pride had played right into the other satraps hands.

     The sun sunk, and shadows cast long across the stony ground, as a rope was fastened around Daniel's waist.

     Darius stepped forward and put a hand on Daniel's shoulder. He spoke lowly to him like a friend, “Your God, whom you constantly serve, will save you.”

     There was as shifting, jealous movement among the other satraps. Did they fear the king would recant his decree? They relaxed when the guards pushed Daniel towards the hole.

     His heart rose to his throat, and he sat on the edge, cringing as he dangled his feet into the blackness. He could hear a low rumbling, and the hair on his arms stood on end. The guard gave him a shove and he slipped forward, the rope jerking painfully under his arms. He hung, suspended in space, and fought the panicked urge to draw his feet up to his chest. He prayed, Protect your servant, Lord!

     He was lowered several feet before his sandal clad feet felt uneven ground beneath him, and the rope slackened above. There was a whisper as the rope fell down beside him, and Daniel's pulse flew. He looked up, and the last thing he saw was King Darius' strained face, before the grating of rock shut out the last rays of sunlight.

    Daniel stood stock still in utter darkness. The smell of lush greenery was lost, leaving only the musky scent of animals in the chill air. His pulse pounded in his ears, but not loud enough to hide the padding of great paws circling him. He felt a puff of hot breath against his hand and stiffened. Cold sweat broke out on his brow. The pacing continued, surrounding him, with low growls on every side.

      He braced as if for a blow, wondering what it felt like for a lion to tear out his throat. If this is to be my fate, Lord, let it be quick.

     Minutes passed. Something enormous brushed past him, making him jump. Then the noise moved away. He heard the shifting of the huge beasts, and then it was quiet, except for the sound of soft breathing.

     Daniel stood stock still for what felt like eternity, until exhaustion crept up his limbs. As quietly as he could manage, he slid the rope off of him. He stepped backwards carefully, tottering on the uneven rock, until he felt cold stone behind him. Feeling better with something at his back, he slid slowly down to sit.

     True sleep was impossible, but in the complete blackness, vivid dreams wound in and out of his mind, as if he skimmed on the surface of slumber.

     He was lost in one of these vivid moments, when the scrape of rock jerked him alert. He threw a hand up to hide the brilliant light, and saw the cave mouth was opening.

     “Daniel! Daniel!” the king's familiar voice cried anxiously. “Has your God saved you? Has He delivered you from the lions?”

     Daniel lowered his hand, and saw the interior of the cave for the first time. Across the small expanse, three sets of yellow eyes were fixed on him. Tawny tails flicked, whiskers twitched, and padded claws tensed upon the stone. Daniel could see ribs clearly. These giant predators were kept on the cusp of starvation. Yet, they did not move. Terrified exultation rose up within him as he gazed on the beasts with whom he had spent the night, and he stood slowly.

     “O King, may you live for ever!” Daniel called. “My God sent His angel, and has shut the lions' mouths. They have not harmed me! God has found me innocent of any wrong doing towards Him, and towards you, O King. I have committed no crime.”

     Daniel heard commands being issued, and a rope snaked down into the hole. His eyes fixed upon the lions, Daniel went forward slowly, and tied the rope around his middle. As the rope strained, and lifted his feet off the ground, Daniel looked upwards to the bright morning sun, and smiled.

     Thank you, Lord.

Read this story for yourself in Daniel 6