He Goes Before Us and is With Us

May your God, whom you serve so faithfully, rescue you. Daniel 6:16 (NLT)

The officials who coerced King Darius into signing the decree prohibiting anyone from praying to anyone except the king couldn’t wait to trip Daniel up. They were confident that this was a done deal because they had seen Daniel’s devotion to his God, Yahweh. With a glint of victory in their eyes, they go to Daniel’s house and find him there petitioning Yahweh to rescue him from his dire situation (Daniel 6:11). They hurry to the king, drooling in anticipation of Daniel’s punishment – sacrifice to the lions.

When the king hears this, he is deeply troubled. Daniel is his most valued administrator, whose favour with God had brought favour to his kingdom. He tries everything to save Daniel, but is unsuccessful. He finally gives the orders for Daniel to be thrown into the lion’s den. The king, concerned for Daniel’s life, spent a sleepless night wondering whether Daniel’s God had saved him. As soon as the new day dawns, the king rushes to the lion's den and calls out to Daniel, Was your God, whom you serve so faithfully, able to rescue you from the lions?” Daniel answered, “My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me.” When Daniel is lifted out of the den, not a scratch is found on him (Daniel 6:13-23).

Waymaker and Miracle Worker

We may sometimes find ourselves in a place in life, like Daniel, where the unexpected happens. It seems as if everything is going well. Perhaps like Daniel, life is smiling at us. Our personal life, career, and social network seem to be on an upward trajectory. What could go wrong, we wonder. But then we are caught off guard. Life throws us a curveball. We find ourselves face to face with something that could literally wipe us out - personally, physically, financially. We may have been caught off guard, but God was not. He foreknew the events that happen in our lives (Psalm 139:1-10) and has gone before us to rescue us. He not only goes before us, but He is with us when we face our lions, as He was with Daniel.

Whatever we are facing today, we can rest assured that our Way Maker has gone before us and has already made a way for us. We can rest assured that He is with us as we face the lions in our lives. Let this be our anthem of praise and thanksgiving to the living God, Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah: “Jesus, You rescue and save Your people; You perform miraculous signs and wonders in the heavens and on earth. You rescued Daniel from the power of the lions (Daniel 6:27), and You will rescue me.”

You go before me and follow me. You place your hand of blessing on my head. Psalm 139:5 (NLT)

Reflection:

Have you been caught off guard by the challenges you are facing? God has gone before you and will rescue you.

Prayer:

Lord, I give my challenges to You. Go before me and save me, just as You saved Daniel. I look to You for miracles, signs and wonders. In Jesus’ name, amen