Daniel in the Lions Den

I’ve always loved that story about Daniel in the lion’s den. I know we all do. I love where in the Bible it states that Daniel, when he knew that the decree was signed by King Darius, he went into his house and his windows being open in his chambers toward Jerusalem, he kneeled upon his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God as he did aforetime. It’s such a beautiful picture, and we do have that beautiful painting many of you are familiar with, that Mrs. Eddy had in her home, of when Daniel was actually in the lion‘s den looking out a window toward the light, while the lions behind him were kneeling peacefully which was quite some demonstration.

In Martha Wilcox’s book, in the article “Our Mission in the World is Individual” she speaks about what is called the law of reciprocal being. That Daniel didn’t just think he was being governed by God, but he knew that everything was being governed by God. As Mrs. Eddy says in “Science and Health”, “Understanding the control which Love held over all, Daniel felt safe in the lion’s den.” So Daniel knew, he was governed by God, but also that the King was, and even his so-called conspirators were governed by God, and even the lions were governed by God, and in that strong knowing, even under persecution he was kept safe. It is truly a tremendous lesson and one that I have often thought about, and have gained much from when I’ve had the wisdom and foresight to understand the law of reciprocal being.

Martha Wilcox also says, “If we think rightly at all times, and under all circumstances there is little danger that we shall act wrongly when under pressure.” Daniel is a wonderful example of that. Praying three times a day, thinking rightly at all times, and under all circumstances, so that when he was actually placed in the lion‘s den, he was able to keep his thought stayed on God, and then accomplished a tremendous victory that we still read about, and gain inspiration from this very day. I’m so very grateful for these beautiful Bible stories, and lessons that they teach us.