Application:

We are safe and can worship because Jesus loves us and said He would always be near us.

Bible Text:

Daniel chapter 6.

Lesson:

Nebuchadnezzar the king of Babylon had come to Jerusalem to fight.   After winning the war, he commanded that a few capture young men from Judah should come and live and study in his palace.  Of all those chosen, the smartest were Daniel and his friends, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego.  And of the four, Daniel was the best.  Daniel proved so wise that King Nebuchadnezzar made him a governor in his kingdom.  Daniel was the only person able to interpret the king's dreams, and because of the respect the king felt for him, Daniel was able to lead the king into believing in our Great God.

The Wicked Law:

After Nebuchadnezzar died, his son Belshazzar became king, but he was struck down in war by King Darius the Mede.  Darius admired and respected Daniel, and kept him in his post as a governor.  But jealous government officials told King Darius that Daniel worshipped his own God and did not obey the laws of the Medes.  They tricked the king into making a law, which said that any man who worshipped any god or man other than the king, would be thrown into a den of lions.

Daniel is Saved:

Because he could not change this law even to save his friend Daniel, Darius sadly had to agree to throw Daniel into the den of lions.   And so Daniel was thrown to the lions and the door was closed and barred.  All that night the king prayed for Daniel.  When morning came, he rushed to the den of lions to see what had happened to Daniel.  The king's joy was great when he discovered Daniel alive and well.  Daniel told the king how the Lord had sent an angel to protect him, by shutting the mouths of the lions so they could not harm him.

Daniel is Freed:

Darius was very happy and released Daniel from the den.  He then wrote out an order that all the people of Babylon should fear and tremble before the powerful God of Daniel.  And so Daniel lived on as a wise governor for the king, and continued to worship his God in peace and happiness.

Jesus Keeps Us Safe: