Faith That Faces Lions: Daniel's Rescue and Identity

Devotional

Day 1: Your life is a sermon others are watching.

People are observing the way you live, whether they are your children, neighbors, or friends. The integrity of your daily actions speaks volumes about the God you serve. There is a profound opportunity to point others toward Christ through a life of consistent faithfulness. Your choices, both public and private, can either draw people closer to Jesus or push them further away. This reality is not a burden of performance but an invitation to authentic witness. [47:49]

But Daniel distinguished himself above the administrators and satraps because he had an extraordinary spirit, so the king planned to set him over the whole realm. The administrators and satraps, therefore, kept trying to find a charge against Daniel regarding the kingdom. But they could find no charge or corruption, for he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. (Daniel 6:3-4 CSB)

Reflection: As you consider the various spheres of your life—your home, your work, your private habits—what is one area where your actions might tell a different story than your faith? How might aligning that area more closely with Christ serve as a clearer witness to those who are watching?

Day 2: Your identity in Christ determines your actions.

Who you understand yourself to be will ultimately direct what you do. When your core identity is rooted in being a beloved child of God, your choices naturally flow from that secure relationship. Daniel’s unwavering commitment to prayer, even under threat of death, was not a reckless act but a confirmation of who he was. He prayed toward Jerusalem, reinforcing his identity as part of God’s covenant people. Our actions are not meant to earn God’s love but to express the love we have already received. [52:01]

When Daniel learned that the document had been signed, he went into his house. The windows in its upstairs room opened toward Jerusalem, and three times a day he got down on his knees, prayed, and gave thanks to his God just as he had done before. (Daniel 6:10 CSB)

Reflection: When faced with a difficult choice or a moment of pressure, what is your default response? Does it flow from a place of knowing you are God’s child, or from a place of fear or performance?

Day 3: God meets you in the midst of your fears.

The most terrifying moments of life are not absent of God’s presence. He is the kind of God who crawls into the lion’s den with his people, offering companionship and deliverance in the midst of our deepest fears. Whether the threat is a health diagnosis, financial uncertainty, or overwhelming anxiety, you are not alone. God’s power is made perfect in our weakness, and his presence transforms our darkest valleys into places of testimony. [59:23]

My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths; and they haven’t harmed me, for I was found innocent before him. And also before you, Your Majesty, I have not done harm. (Daniel 6:22 CSB)

Reflection: What is the “lion’s den” you are facing or fear facing? How might inviting God into that specific fear, rather than trying to overcome it alone, change your perspective and experience?

Day 4: God uses our trials to demonstrate His power.

Our difficult circumstances are often the very platform God uses to show himself strong to a watching world. What the enemy intends for harm, God can redeem for His glory and the advancement of His kingdom. Daniel’s trial was not just about his personal deliverance; it was a testimony to a pagan king that resulted in a royal decree praising the living God. Your faithfulness in hardship can become a powerful story that points others to the reality of Christ. [01:00:16]

Then King Darius wrote to those of every people, nation, and language who live on the whole earth: “May your prosperity abound. I issue a decree that in all my royal dominion, people must tremble in fear before the God of Daniel. For he is the living God, and he endures forever; his kingdom will never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He rescues and delivers; he performs signs and wonders in the heavens and on the earth, for he has rescued Daniel from the power of the lions.” (Daniel 6:25-27 CSB)

Reflection: Can you recall a past difficulty where you later saw how God used it for a purpose beyond yourself? How does that memory encourage you to trust Him with a current challenge?

Day 5: Salvation begins with a cry for help.

Rescue starts with the humble recognition that we are powerless to save ourselves. Just as a cry of “Socorro!” brought help on a dark river, a sincere cry to Jesus ushers in His saving power. We do not need more willpower or a better plan; we need a Savior who can break the chains of sin, addiction, and despair. This surrender is not a sign of weakness but the first step into true strength and lasting peace found only in Christ. [01:04:30]

For everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. (Romans 10:13 ESV)

Reflection: Is there an area of your life where you have been trying to maintain control, deep down knowing that you need to be rescued? What would it look like today to simply cry out, “Jesus, I need you,” and fully surrender that area to Him?

Sermon Summary

Daniel 6 retells a test of faith and the visible power of God in the life of a faithful exile. A promotion of Daniel provokes jealousy among administrators who manufacture a law forbidding prayer to anyone but the king for thirty days. Daniel continues his regular practice of praying toward Jerusalem, openly aligning his identity with the promises given to his ancestors rather than with a political edict. His obedience lands him in a literal lion’s den, yet the narrative emphasizes God’s intervention: an angel shuts the lions’ mouths, preserving Daniel unharmed and exposing the hollowness of human schemes.

The account highlights three linked realities: the public nature of faith, the priority of identity over behavior, and the demonstrable power of God. Lives lived with consistent integrity compel observers to ask whether faith actually works; Daniel’s consistency provokes both a loyalties test and a public witness. Identity as a child of God shapes choices under pressure, so private devotion and communal habit steer public action. God’s rescue in the den functions as both immediate deliverance and prophetic testimony: a pagan ruler recognizes the living God, issuing a decree that exalts divine sovereignty and confirms that genuine fidelity to God changes outcomes and hearts.

The sermon frames trials as opportunities for God to reveal himself and to draw others—both rulers and guide-figures—toward faith. Illustrations from river rescue and conversion underscore that fearsome circumstances can become platforms for worship, testimony, and rescue. The closing appeal invites personal surrender: genuine salvation requires handing over control, not merely moral improvement. The narrative ends with an invitation to trust Jesus for deliverance from sin, fear, and despair, presenting rescue as both present help and the promise of ultimate vindication.

Key Takeaways

1. People watch how you live Consistent faith becomes a public argument for God’s reality. When conduct and worship remain steady under pressure, observers test whether devotion produces actual results. Integrity in ordinary moments often matters more than dramatic words because it shapes long-term credibility and opens doors for others to ask about the source of strength. [47:49]
2. Who you are shapes your actions Identity precedes behavior; a rooted sense of being God’s child governs choices under duress. Defining life by calling and covenant produces courage to act in ways that contradict expedient survival. Forming the self around divine promises realigns daily decisions toward obedience rather than approval. [52:01]
3. God rescues and delivers people Divine intervention moves in circumstances that look final, proving that faith is not merely hope but efficacious power. Rescue in the lion’s den models the same saving work that culminates in Christ’s triumph over death. Testimonies of deliverance authenticate God’s reign and invite others to trust him. [61:10]
4. Courage calls others to Christ Worship and fearlessness in crisis disturb observers and awaken spiritual curiosity. Songs in the dark, steady prayer, and visible calm in danger become catalysts for conversion among those who never expected to meet God. Courage therefore has an evangelistic function: it makes space for grace to enter hearts. [62:35]

Youtube Chapters

[00:00] - Welcome
[33:38] - Scripture: Daniel 6
[34:26] - Opening Prayer
[35:00] - Jungle Adventure Illustration
[41:06] - Context: Daniel’s Promotion and Plot
[47:49] - Point 1: People Watch How You Live
[52:01] - Point 2: Identity Determines Action
[57:20] - Daniel in the Lion’s Den
[60:16] - King’s Declaration about God
[62:35] - Rescue Leads to Conversion
[64:05] - Invitation to Surrender
[68:05] - Closing Prayer and Response

Bible Study Guide

Bible reading: Daniel 6

Observation questions

According to Daniel 6:5, what was the only way Daniel's enemies could find a charge against him?
What specific action did Daniel take when he learned the document had been signed, and how did he do it? (Daniel 6:10)
What did King Darius declare about the God of Daniel after he was rescued from the lions? (Daniel 6:26-27)
In the story from the sermon, what was the response of the river guide, Guatace, after witnessing the group's faith during a crisis? [01:02:35]

Interpretation questions

Why do you think Daniel continued his practice of praying with his windows open, knowing it would lead to his arrest? What does this reveal about the relationship between his private devotion and public identity?
The king's decree in Daniel 6:26-27 is a powerful statement from a pagan ruler. What does this outcome suggest about the ultimate purpose of God's deliverance in the lives of his people?
The sermon emphasized that "who you are determines what you do." [52:01] How does Daniel's identity as a "servant of the living God" (v. 20) shape his choices, in contrast to how his enemies identified him?
In the context of a life-threatening situation, how can singing worship songs, as the group did on the river, function as more than just a way to calm fears? [40:27]

Application questions

People are watching how you live, and your consistent integrity can become a public argument for God’s reality. [47:49] Who in your life is watching your faith, and what is one area where you feel challenged to live with greater consistency for their sake?
Identity as a child of God is meant to shape choices under pressure. [52:01] When facing a difficult decision, what practical step can you take to remind yourself of who you are in Christ before deciding what to do?
Divine intervention often moves in circumstances that look final. [01:01:10] What is a "lion's den" situation in your life or the life of someone you love where you need to trust that God can rescue and deliver?
Worship and fearlessness in crisis can disturb observers and awaken spiritual curiosity. [01:02:35] Has there been a time when someone asked you about your faith because of how you handled a difficult circumstance? How did you respond?
Salvation begins with complete surrender, not just moral improvement. [01:06:22] Is there any part of your life where you are still holding onto control instead of fully trusting it to Jesus? What would it look like to surrender that area today?
God can take the most fearful circumstances and turn them into platforms for testimony and rescue. [01:03:31] Looking back at a past trial, how did God use it for his glory, and how can that memory encourage you in a current challenge?
Courage has an evangelistic function; it makes space for grace to enter hearts. [01:02:35] What is one step you can take this week to demonstrate courageous faith in a way that might open a door for a spiritual conversation?

Sermon Clips

And I was able to lead him to Christ that next morning. And he and his entire family heard the gospel and believed. See, God takes moments that seem so scary and so so horrifying, moments that we're afraid for our life and turns them and uses them for his glory. And I don't know what you're going through right now. I don't know what kind of thing you're facing right now. It may be something where you feel completely overwhelmed or just without an answer. And here's the thing, God is the kind of God that rescues and delivers and takes these incredibly difficult moments and uses them to change people's lives forever. [01:03:18] (43 seconds) #RescuedAndRedeemed

You know, this story does remind me of Jesus. It reminds me of Jesus in two ways. One, there was one day another man who was put into the earth just like Daniel in the lion's den. And who I wondered, what would happen to him? This man who is innocent, would he be found dead or would he be found alive? But when Jesus rose from the dead, he proved that God's power actually works and when you trust him, even death will not overcome you. [00:58:29] (34 seconds) #ResurrectionHope

Just pray something like this. If you don't know what to say, just say, Jesus, I need you. Jesus, I surrender. I need a savior. I don't just need an example. I need somebody to change me because I can't change myself. I'm so tired, so broken. God, I need a new start. I need resurrection. I trust you with my life. [01:06:43] (29 seconds) #SurrenderToJesus

If you don't ask for the savior to save you, you have no hope. Today, I wanna give you that hope by simply crying out to Jesus. Say, Jesus, save my family. Save my children. Save me. You know, one of the most dangerous places you can be is to be in church, attend on Sundays, but keep control of your life and not trust it to Jesus. Salvation begins with complete surrender. [01:05:44] (38 seconds) #SalvationStartsWithSurrender

We start singing worship songs, trying to like give ourselves some courage. We're singing songs about Jesus. We're just kinda like in the dark, starting to get quiet winter boats start coming by and eventually one of the ladies, Sharon, one of my friend's moms just cries out, Socorro. Which means save us. And our guys were like freaking out. Was like, okay. May we may have to fight off pirates but instead two indigenous men couldn't speak a lick of English, come out of the darkness and tow us to safety. It was one of the sweetest feelings I've ever had stepping onto the dock back by our hotel going, man, we experienced salvation that night. [00:40:14] (47 seconds) #WorshipSavedUs

Now you find Daniel in the lion's den. The king's looking for him, goes out first thing in the morning to see if Daniel's still alive. And I love just kind of the language you find here where the king's almost like, Daniel, are you dead yet? Like, he's like wondering, like, did God save you? And Daniel responds, yes, God. Save me from the mouth of the lions. He sent his angel to be in the pit of the lions with me and I am unharmed because I was innocent. [00:58:00] (29 seconds) #DanielInTheDen

This phrase that he rescues and he delivers, man, that's got Jesus all over it. Jesus is somebody who rescues people. He rescues us from the current moment that we're in, rescues us from our trouble, rescues us from death. He delivers us from sin and the devil. You know, the bible tells us that the devil is like a roaring lion seeking to devour people. [01:01:18] (24 seconds) #JesusRescues

The good news is that we actually have someone who has overcome the devil And that's what Jesus offers us. He offers us peace and life and that God can take the hardest moment of our life and transform it into a beautiful testimony. I'm somebody that's had that happen to me. Jesus found me and changed my life. But I've seen him do it to so many others. [01:01:41] (22 seconds) #TransformedTestimony

So get this. His identity, be it who he was, the fact that he refused to eat the king's food back in Daniel chapter one, still is in effect. He's saying, I am a son of God. I'm a son of Abraham. I continue to hope that God will bring us home. That's more important to me than my life. [00:53:53] (22 seconds) #IdentityOverComfort

So a lot of us have that wrong. We have it the other way. Right? Many of us go, what we do determines who we are. Like, I'm a firefighter. That's who I am. It's not just what I do. It's who I am or I'm a I'm a nurse. So that's what I do. I provide care. We look at what we do as our identity rather than who we are. Daniel saw things differently. He focused first on who he was rather than what he did because who he was determined what he did. [00:51:31] (27 seconds) #WhoYouAreNotWhatYouDo

Same thing is true for you. Who are you? Are you known by what you do or who you are? God wants you to have an identity as his child, his beloved son or daughter. As a Christian, that's who you are. When you trust Jesus, you're choosing Christ to be your father in heaven. And that's why we pray. It's because we know that our father, God, loves to answer our prayers, loves to take our burdens. We'll move on our behalf. [00:54:48] (33 seconds) #ChildOfGodIdentity

You know, my my kids give me stuff to carry all the time. Right? Sometimes I feel like I'm giving my stuff to my heavenly father just like my kids give me their stuff. And, you know, I think sometimes I'm like, God, I'm giving you this stuff. Maybe just don't care to carry it anymore. But what I found as a good father is that I don't mind carrying my kids' things. Why? Because it's one of the ways I can love them. And God feels the same way about you. [00:55:21] (30 seconds) #FatherCarriesUs

But part of the reason why they're watching us because they want to know if it works. Not necessarily if it's true, although they want to know that. But we all know so many people who believe that the bible is true, but they want to find something else that'll work out better for them in their own life. But ultimately, the reason why we follow Jesus is because it's both true and it works. Because it's true, it does work. [00:56:00] (26 seconds) #BringYourBurdenToJesus

Right where you are, I want you to bring the burden to Jesus, whatever it is. Whatever it is that's holding you back, whatever fear you're feeling right now, and you know it, you may be trying to suppress what God has put in front of you right now because you don't wanna deal with it right now. You're like, no. No. No. I'm great. I'm fine. But deep down, you know that you are facing the lion, and it's coming for your life. [01:05:16] (27 seconds) #CallOutForHelp

And if you're willing to trust him, he can change your life. Let me just take a moment and just put this in front of you. If you're going through something difficult today, I want you to ask Jesus to save you. You know, sometimes we feel like, man, it's too scary to do it just like us on the river. There's pirates. There's danger. But there's greater danger in not calling out for help. [01:04:01] (29 seconds) #BlamelessBeforeMen

But Daniel is blameless and he's somebody who has no corruption in him at all. He's an honest man. And so they can't find anything to put on him to get rid of him. And you see this in actually Daniel chapter six verse five. Look at that verse with me. It says, then these men said, we will never find any charge against this Daniel unless we find something against him concerning the law of his God. [00:44:14] (25 seconds) #OnDisplayForGod

So just to be honest, right? Like if this was you and me, would we do this? I mean, I I don't know about you. I'd probably be like, okay. I'm just gonna like act like I am praying for the king. But really it's gonna be for God and be like, God, you know it's really you know my heart. I'm saying this is the king, you're really the king. I can try to do that Jesus joke on it. Right? Or maybe I'd just be like, I'm just not gonna pray anything publicly but when I go to my house I'm gonna close all the doors and hide in the closet and pray. [00:52:36] (27 seconds) #IntegrityUnderTest