The well-known event in biblical history is Daniel in the den of lions (Daniel 6). Daniel had grown in favor with Darius the king. Daniel was preferred over all the presidents and princes of the Persian Empire. The other presidents and princes became very jealous of Daniel. Therefore, they came up with a plan to bring destruction to Daniel.

    No one was to ask a god or man anything for anything. Only Darius could be approached as a god. Darius, of course, thought this was a wonderful idea. He signed the decree and made it law.

    Daniel continued to pray to God as he had always done. Because of this, Darius had him thrown to the lions. However, God closed the lions’ mouths so that they did not eat Daniel. Darius could not sleep that night because he was sure that Daniel would be killed by the lions. Early the next morning, Darius ran to the den and asked Daniel if he is still alive. He was happy when Daniel answered.

    Darius then took all of the other presidents and princes and their wives and children and threw them into the den of lions. There were 120 princes and two presidents. If all of them were married, that would make 244 people. Normally, the princes would be middle aged to older. Thus, many of them probably had children. If each only had one child, that would bring the total to 366 people.

    As you can imagine, it would have taken several very hungry lions to eat that many people. Yet, as many as there must have been, and as hungry as they must have been, they did not eat Daniel. This is a great demonstration of the miraculous care of God.

    There is a very hungry lion mentioned in the New Testament. In 1 Peter 5:8, we are told to be watchful and avoid the Devil. He is said to be a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour. God does not miraculously keep the Devil from spiritually eating us. However, he does work providentially to aid us if we are faithful to him. If we obey Him and do His will, He will aid us. Verse Seven says we are to cast our cares or anxieties on Him because He cares for us.

    Study your Bible. Learn what is necessary to obey God. Then do it. I know you want to be aided by the same loving God that cared for Daniel. If any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.

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Find Just One Man

“Run ye to and fro through the streets of Jerusalem, and see now, and know, and seek in the broad places, thereof, if ye can find a man, if there be any that executeth judgment, that seeketh the truth; and I will pardon it. And though they say, The Lord liveth; surely they swear falsely” (Jeremiah 5:1-2).

    Many years before this, Abraham had asked God to spare a city from destruction if he could find 10 righteous individuals. God had said he would spare Sodom from destruction if Abraham could find that few righteous individuals.

    Jeremiah is told to go throughout Jerusalem and find just one righteous man. Jerusalem was supposed to be the city of God. God’s Temple was in Jerusalem. Jerusalem was the capital city of Judah. These people were the chosen people of God.

    Yet, God said that not one righteous person could be found there. And he told Jeremiah that even if he could find someone who professed to follow God, that the person was lying.

    How sad that God’s people had gone so far from God. All of the people were wicked. They were wise in evil doing, but ignorant of righteousness.

    This shows that even those who profess to follow God can be liars. It shows that just saying you are a follower of God is not enough. You must obey God to truly be a follower.

    Study your Bible. Learn what is necessary to obey God. Then do it. And if any of this is hard to understand, ask an adult to help you.