ICS Daily Devotions
Living and Leading in the Lions’Den

Daniel 6:22-23 (NKJV) My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.” Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.

The world is like a “lions’ den” because it is getting more anti-Christian in its values every day. We may not be persecuted physically but we are facing a barrage of practices that are against our principles and values. We need to learn to lead and live in a lions’ den with the grace of God and show the world that there is a different way.

The family sphere is the most important among the seven spheres of influence because it is the most basic unit of society. When the family unit deteriorates, the whole society is thrown into chaos. Most of us will put a lot of emphasis on our children’s education and their physical development, but sadly we neglect the spiritual aspect of their walk with the Lord such as quiet time, prayer, worship, Christian values, sanctification, and consecration.

1 Peter 5:8 (NKJV) Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.

The devil wants to kill, steal and destroy our lives like a lion walking around to see whom it can devour. IF we do not teach our children the biblical way, then it is like throwing our children to the lions and letting the lions devour them as they please!

We as parents, need to model our walk with the Lord to our children and teach them not to conform to the world, starting at the formative years of their lives. It is more difficult to change a teenager, although through prayers all things are possible with God.

There are not many characters in the Old Testament who ended well in their lives. Daniel was able to stand up for his faith from when he was 15 years old. Now at the age of 80 years in this passage above, he was still able to hold onto his values despite the pressures he faced in the palace. Daniel must have had very good parents who instilled the importance of the fear of God in his life. May we be encouraged to be like Daniel in the marketplace and also bring up our children with the same attitude, values and outlook on life.

Sermon Series: The Daniels of Today