Helter-Skelter In The Den

I have been pondering on something for a little while.

We all know the account in Daniel where the King was tricked by jealous politicians into throwing Daniel in the lions’ den. (Daniel 6) We all talk and preach about the miracle of the lions not eating Daniel and how the king ran out and checked on him. We preach about the king turning the tables on the politicians and throwing them into the den themselves and how they were torn to pieces before they hit the floor. Incredible stuff, but I want to focus on this in a little different way.

The king couldn’t sleep. He had ordered his number one advisor into a den of lions. I imagine he anxiously paced the floors all night wondering if the God of the Israelites could in fact protect Daniel.

He hears the first chirps of the birds waking up and sees the dawning of the morning light. He flings open his doors and runs to the den where Daniel is confined, uncertain of what to expect. He yells, “Daniel? Was your God able to save you?”

Then from deep in the pit he heard a noise. It was Daniel moving about to a place where the king could hear him. “Oh king, live forever! Indeed, my God was able!”

What I want you to focus on is that many people will watch us go down into our dens. Our pit. They have no idea how our situation is going to turn out. They are waiting and watching, hoping that our God is able. They need to see He still takes care of His people. They need to see that we have faith and that we know God will take care of us.

Unfortunately, too many times what they see is that God’s own children don’t really believe and trust Him anymore. What they see is the people of God acting like the king instead of like Daniel. They see us divisive and scattered. They see us running about and anxious. They see our lack of faith, having little to no trust in God.

How can we expect them to be drawn to God when we ourselves are running helter-skelter in the face of adversity rather than standing still, in faith, and trust that our God is more than able?

Please don’t take this as a rebuke. This is something for those who profess Christ to seriously consider. It is for me as much as any. Do I really believe or am I an imposter? Perhaps we could pray in this way: “Lord I believe. Help my unbelief. Father, as we all face our dens and pits, we pray that your grace will go through us humbly and, in faith, not as sniffling brats, make us true, mature warriors. Amen!”