Daniel in the Lions’ Den - From Gusavo Doré’s Bible (1868) - Engraving
Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth
Colossians 3:2 (NRSV)
We all experience problems and pain. Most of us allow our minds to be consumed by these things. Life at times is difficult. The modern world with its complexities, distractions, and difficulties can take us away from what Scripture teaches us. If we trust in the Lord, fully trust in the Lord, all will be well. This, like a lot we know to be right, is easier said than done. We know what we should do, we know what would make life easier, but it is still difficult to fully give ourselves to the Lord.
Perhaps we can take heart from the engraving depicting Daniel in the den of the lions. Human nature dictates that if we ourselves were in such a predicament, we would be terrified. We may attempt to escape, prepare to fight to the death, or perhaps fall to our knees, resigned in prayer. But in the image Daniel is doing none of these things. His eyes are not even fixed upon the lions, which appear almost inconsequential. Daniel gazes upwards into the light. The light of God.
Daniel’s trust in God is pure. Daniel’s trust in God is true. Daniel trusts the same God who would send His only Son to earth to show us the way before dying a hideous death on the cross to for the sake of our sin. Our sin. In the season we remember this guiding life, this hideous death, and then celebrate the glorious rebirth, may we all feel the all-encompassing love shown to each and every one of us. A love we cannot ever deserve.
If this thought is not enough for us to give ourselves fully to the Lord, then what is?
Through the love of God our Saviour,
all will be well.
Free and changeless is his favour,
all, all is well.
Precious is the blood that healed us,
perfect is the grace that sealed us,
strong the hand stretched forth to shield us,
all must be well.
Through the love of God our Saviour
by Mary Bowley Peters
Gwyn Davies
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