Daniel’s survival was not the result of a force field set up by his strength of will or by compatriots feeding the lions just before he was locked among them. Daniel survived the lions because God protected him. Daniel’s friends survived the furnace because God protected them. In both cases, those threatened with death did not presume God’s intention to keep them alive; instead, they trusted in God’s deliverance, whatever the outcome. Daniel lived by God’s divine purpose-the only reason worth living.

At the same time, uncounted thousands of persecuted Christians have lost their lives; the “lions” (in many forms) have had their fill. God does not keep faithful Christians alive in every case. Some of the most convincing statements of genuine faith have been made by martyrs who calmly gave up their lives for Christ in complete confidence that God’s promised deliverance was just beyond this life.

DANIEL 6:16- Then the king commanded, and they brought Daniel, and cast him into the den of lions. Now the king spake and said unto Daniel, Thy God whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee.