By Linda Tancs
In the Old Testament, the story of Daniel in the lions’ den is an ancient illustration of the punishment for civil disobedience. The account takes place in chapter six of the Book of Daniel, wherein we find Daniel thrown into a lions’ den by the Babylonian king for his failure to stop praying to God. The scene is expressed poignantly by the British painter Briton Rivière in his 1892 painting, “Daniel’s Answer to the King.” In his portrait, Daniel is standing serenely in profile with his hands bound behind his back, looking up to the light in a window while surrounded by a pride of menacing lions. The story, as you may recall, has a happy ending; Daniel’s faith in God saves him from the kind of certain death experienced by other prisoners. In the end, the lions were no impediment.
Think of the “lions” in your life, the things that are lurking around menacingly. Maybe it’s an old grudge, a bad relationship, poor career prospects. Look up (Psalm 121:1-2). Ignore the lions. After all, He Who is in you is greater than anything lurking in the world (1 John 4:4).
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As part of FOOT FORWARD MINISTRIES, Go Forward in Faith represents faith-based meditations for personal and professional growth. Follow us on Twitter @moveonfaith and join the Facebook group @goforwardinfaith.
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