If there is any story from the book of Daniel that most people know it is the wonderful story of Daniel in the lions’ den. Most of us first heard this story as children in Sunday School or when our parents taught us Bible stories. Sunday I want us to study “The Cowardly Lions.” No, it is not a misprint. Sunday we are going to dive into the text and look closely at those who had Daniel accused and thrown into the lions den only to see Daniels God, our God come through once again.
Obviously few of us will ever be tossed before literal lions, but we face all kinds of savage danger that is every bit as real as a hungry lion. I’m talking about the pressures of life, the circumstances and situations that threaten to consume us. The Bible says all of us have a foe that is like a lion. Look at 1 Peter 5:8, “Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.”
I’ve read that one of the loudest, most terrifying sounds in the jungle is a sound of a lion roaring. Sometimes the roar of a lion is enough to paralyze a surprised prey. The main weapon the devil has is his roar. His bark really is worse than his bite. Jesus has pretty much rendered old Satan toothless and clawless since the CROSS, so you don’t have to be afraid of him. Just be aware that he’s out there roaring, but Jesus has overcome him.
Jesus said, “I have told you these things, so that in Me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33