7/7/24 - In the Lion's Den - Daniel 6 - Pastor Jason Fritz

When my kids were little they loved visiting the zoo and especially the lions. Most of the time they were laying around with no worries knowing they were apex predators. From a distance they seemed harmless. However, when the male wanted to make himself known, you could hear him roar from anywhere in the park. Imagine Daniel, an octogenarian, thrust into the midst of these powerful animals, with nowhere to conceal himself. I’ve had some pretty bad days at work but nothing like this! However, Daniel knew no crisis because he believed in the sovereignty of God.    Framed by his adversaries and poised to face unjust consequences, conventional wisdom might dictate Daniel to seek refuge in the king's court, pleading his innocence and declaring, “I’m being set up!” Instead, he does what he knows so well. He talks to God. We don’t know exactly what Daniel prayed for but we do know he gave thanks. There’s a great lesson in this for us. What do you do when faced with an anxiety-inducing circumstance? The lyrics to “Ain’t No Grave” ring true: "Fear is a tyrant, he's always telling me to run.” Daniel runs in the right direction - into the arms of God in prayer.    John Wayne said, “Courage is being scared to death but saddling up anyway.” There can be no courage unless you are afraid. Are you a fearful person? Consider this: What fears are you yielding to and what have you forgotten about God? The writer of Hebrews gives us this reassurance from the creator of heaven and earth, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you, so that we can confidently say, “The Lord is my Helper, I will not be afraid, What shall men do to me?” The most often repeated command in the Bible is, "Do not fear.” Fear will neutralize you and keep you from trusting in God. The lion’s den serves as a poignant reminder that courage is not the absence of fear but rather fear that has been surrendered in prayer.