The great King Darius could not get to sleep because his head was full of worried thoughts. Maybe you have a bad night like that sometimes, and if you do, I hope you know how to pray. If you tell God your thoughts, you can be sure He is listening, for our God never slumbers or sleeps, and He is always listening. “Behold, the Lord’s . . . ear [is not] heavy, that it cannot hear” (Isaiah 59:1).
I am sure King Darius had a very comfortable bed, but sleep would not come. His servants probably asked him if he wanted a midnight snack or if he wanted some soft music to help him fall asleep.
No, nothing would help. The trouble was that the great king wanted to change his mind. But he had signed the law, and he could not erase what he had done.
You and I can’t erase things that we have done either. Maybe you sinned yesterday, and today you wish you could wipe it out. But what you did is written in the books of heaven, and you cannot remove it!
Is there any hope for you? Oh, yes! Jesus knew all about you and your sins long ago, and He came into the world to save sinners. He died and shed His precious blood for a very special reason: “The blood of Jesus Christ [God’s] Son cleanseth us from all sin” (1 John 1:7). If you are not a sinner, you cannot be saved. But if you are a sinner and are ready to tell God this and to accept His Son as your very own Savior, then your sins will be washed away and you will belong to Him forever. Knowing that you belong to Him is tremendous!
King Darius got up early the next morning, because he couldn’t forget what he had done at sunset the day before. He had given orders to throw Daniel into the den of hungry lions. Daniel was an old man who had faithfully served the kings of his country for many years, and all his accounts were correct and honest. The problem was that other men were jealous of him, and they convinced the king to pass a law that nobody could pray to anyone but the king himself. Then when they found Daniel on his knees praying to the God of heaven, they told the king about it and reminded him of his law that he had signed.
Even the king could not change the law. He racked his brain all day but could not think of any way to save Daniel.
I’m glad my God planned a way to save me! He sent His own beloved Son to die in my place—Jesus took my punishment!
King Darius hurried to the den of lions and called sadly, “Daniel . . . is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?”
Most of you know Daniel’s answer. “My God hath sent His angel, and hath shut the lions’ mouths, that they have not hurt me.” Most likely, while the king had a sleepless night, Daniel may have had a good night’s sleep in that den of lions. But I am sure he remembered first of all to thank God for that angel messenger who shut the lions’ mouths.
The relieved king quickly commanded his servants to lift Daniel up out of the den. But the rest of the story is the sad end of those jealous men who did not believe in Daniel’s God. They were thrown into the den of lions, and they had no Savior. The lions quickly proved how hungry they were. It was the king’s righteous punishment.
Our God is a God of righteous punishment too. He offers His free and loving forgiveness now—today. But our Jesus did not take the punishment for all sinners, only for those who come to Him, trust Him and accept His love. What does God do with sinners who refuse His Son as their Savior? “Whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire” (Revelation 20:15).
You may read this story for yourself in the Book of Daniel, chapter 6.
MEMORY VERSE: “Behold, the Lord’s hand is not shortened, that it cannot save; neither His ear heavy, that it cannot hear.” Isaiah 59:1
ML-04/30/2017