Rescue From the Den of Lions

O. T. #1892  "Rescue From the Den of Lions"

March 2, 2021

Ezekiel 19

LET IT GLOW

Can you believe it is already the third month of this year? It seems that time is marching on, but quickly. Of course, they say that happens when one gets older.

I came across some encouraging scriptures lately. We can all use them, especially during these uncertain times.

I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.  (Hebrews 13:5)

The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to His heavenly kingdom. (2 Timothy 4:18a, NIV)

God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that always having all sufficiency in everything, you may have an abundance for every good deed. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Sustain me as You promised, and I will live; do not let me be ashamed of my hope. sustain me so that I can be safe and always be concerned about Your statutes. (Psalm 119:116-117)

I certainly can use that "all grace" and hope today. How about you, dear friend? 

LET IT GROW

In this chapter, we read two kinds of eulogies in prophetic form of the last declining years of Judah. first, Judah is likened unto a lioness that trains her young lions in the art of savagery. Those two young treacherous lions are Jehoahaz and Jehoiachin, bad kings of Judah. However, they were subdued. Pharaoh Necho captured Jehoahaz and led him away to Egypt as an animal. (verses 3-4) There he died. Nebuchadnezzar took Jehoiachin to Babylon and imprisoned him for 37 years. (verses 6-9)     [Resource: Liberty Bible Commentary]

We know that the prophecies of Ezekiel came to pass. There was no hope for escaping the Babylonian army nor for a short exile. The people had false hope of escaping God's judgment, but God was in control. He gave them opportunities to repent of idolatry and immorality as they heard what was coming if they did not. They were to lament with a funeral song for their evil leaders. (verse 1) Further reading is found in 2 Kings 23-24.

When we read about lions in the Old Testament, who do we think about? Daniel was put into a den of lions. do you know why this happened? It was because he refused to pray to the royal idol. I think those officials in the king Darius' court were jealous of Daniel, a foreigner, being there in the king's court. As they observed Daniel, they found he prayed 3 times a day, kneeling toward Jerusalem, to his God. This faithfulness was used against him, for those evil men convinced the king to make it unlawful to pray to any man or God except the king for 30 days. Little did the king know this was a scheme to get rid of Daniel when he made this a law. The guilty one was to be thrown into the lions' den. And so it happened to Daniel. (Read about it in Daniel 6.) We know the result was Daniel's God closing the mouth of those lions. Folks, we must be careful for lions are around us.

Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour. (2Peter 5:8)

King Darius recognized Daniel as the servant of the living God. He saw that God was all-powerful and the supreme deity. (Darius was exceedingly glad for Daniel.)

So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no manner of hurt was found upon him, because he believed in his God. (Daniel 6:23b)

You know what happened next? Those evil officials and their families were thrown into the lions' den. A new law was made that everyone in his kingdom should tremble with fear before the God of Daniel.

For He is the living God, and He will endure forever. His kingdom will never be destroyed, and His rule will never end. He rescues and saves His people; He performs miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. He has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.      (Daniel 6:26-27) 

What a testimony of God's power and Daniel's faithfulness! Are we faithful to pray 3 times a day to our living God? Does our testimony of faith bring others to salvation? Are you surrounded by lying lions? Has God rescued you lately? Will you share it with us?

LET IT GO

Our God is an awesome God. He reigns form heaven above, with wisdom, power, and love. Our God is an awesome God!