365 Devotionals

"Lions" In My Life

"Lions" In My Life

"[God] delivereth and rescueth, and he . . . hath delivered Daniel from . . . the lions." Daniel 6:27

Someone has written the following incident: "Shortly after I was converted, I passed by a window of a store in St. Louis where I saw on display a painting of Daniel in the den of lions. Daniel, with his hands behind his back and the lions circling him, was looking up and answering the king's question as to whether God had protected him from physical harm in that cage of wild beasts. As I stood there, great hope and faith came into my heart. Only a few days had passed since I, a drunken lawyer, had been converted; and no one had yet told me about the keeping power of Jesus. I thought, 'Why, there are lions all about me, too, - namely, my old habits and sins - but the God that shut the lions' mouths for Daniel can shut them for me!' I knew that I could not win the battle in my own strength. The painting made me realize that while I was weak and impotent, God was strong and able. He would deliver me from evil 'lions' in my life. O what a rest of spirit that truth brought me."

To use only our own will powe when we are beset with temptations is to court defeat. However, if we strengthen the "new man" with diet of Bible study and prayer, and if we let Holy Spirit take full control (Romans 6:13), then we sahll experience a wonderful surge of power in our life. He who delivered Daniel can do the same for us.

When we cease our vain endeavor.

    And to Jesus yield our all,

Then He comes, the overscomer,

    Conquering foes both great and small.

We worship a God who is much greater than any of our temptations or problems.

- anonymous