(presented by: Naomi Blankenship)

   
     In days of old, during the reign of King Darius, were a hundred and twenty princes who ruled over Dauius' kingdom, and over all the princes were three presidents, of whom Daniel was the first.  The princes gave accounts unto Daniel instead of bothering the king with daily problems.  Daniel was preferred of all the presidents and the princes because of his excellent spirit.  So, the king set him over the whole realm. 

    Out of jealousy, the presidents and princes sought to find fault with Daniel, but could find none.  Daniel was faithful and no fault could be found in him.  The men decided they could find fault with Daniel through his God.  So, all the princes assembled themselves together with the king and said, "King Darius, live forever." 

    All the presidents, governors, princes, councilors, and captains  consulted together to establish a royal statute and make a firm decree.  It was decided that whosoever should ask a petition of any God or man for thirty days, save the King, would be cast into a den of lions.  They therefore, asked the King to establish the decree, and sign the writing, that it be not changed, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be changed.

    Thus, King Darius signed the writing and the decree.  Afterwards, Daniel knowing the writing had been signed, went into his house.  The windows were opened in Daniel's house facing towards Jerusalem where he would daily kneel to pray.  He prayed three times a day, everyday, and gave thanks before his God as he had always done.

    Laying in wait for him, the men gathered together to witness Daniel praying and making supplication before his God.  Then, the men took the matter before the King and reminded him of the decree that he had earlier signed.  The men asked, Hast thou not signed a decree, that every man that shall ask a petition before any God or man, save of thee, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions?  The thing is true, according to the law of the Medes and Persians, which altereth not. 

    The men answered and said, "Daniel, which is of the children of the captivity of Judah, regardeth not thee, O king, nor the decree that thou hast signed, but maketh his petition three times a day."   When the king heard this, he was very displeased with himself that he had signed such a decree.   He then set his heart on Daniel to deliver him and worked all evening trying to find a way to save him.   

    Then, the men once again assembled to remind the King of the decree that he had signed.  They told him of the law of the Medes and Persians and what he had signed and reviewed how the decreed law could not be changed. 

    Then the king commanded and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions.  The King spoke to Daniel and said, "Thy God  whom thou servest continually, he will deliver thee."

    The stone was brought and placed at the mouth of the den of lions and sealed with the kings signet and with the signet of the lords to show that this issue could not be changed.   The King returned to his palace, and passed the night fasting.  He would not listen to music from the instruments nor would he sleep.   

    The King arose early in the morning, and went quickly to the den of lions.  When he arrived, he cried out to Daniel and said, "Daniel, O Daniel, servant of the living God, is thy God, whom thou servest continually, able to deliver thee from the lions?"  Then Daniel said, "O king, live forever.  My God hast sent his angel, and hast shut the lions' mouths that they have not hurt me: forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me: and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt."

    The King was exceedingly glad that Daniel was alright.  He commanded that Daniel be taken out of the lions' den.  No hurt was found on him because he believed in his God.

    The King then commanded all those that accused Daniel be put into the den of lions with their children and their wives.  The lions then brake their bones and tore them to pieces. 

    Afterwards, King Darius wrote unto all people, nations, and languages, that dwell in the earth, "Peace be multiplied unto you.  I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: for he is the living God, and stedfast forever, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed, and his dominion shall be even unto the end.  He delivereth and rescueth, and he worketh signs and wonders in heaven and in earth, who hath delivered Daniel from the power of the lions." 

    So, Daniel prospered in the reign of King Darius and also in the reign of King Cyrus his predecessor.

    If you want to prosper on earth as well as in heaven, and if your desire is to be blessed of God, simply pray to the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob through the name of his son Jesus, and you can be saved.  When you feel like you are going into the den of lions, call on the Lord.  If you have had a faithful heart, God will be with you.  He can see you through your problems.   

    Pray for your family and for the peace of Israel!

    If Jesus (Yeshua) has touched your heart and you would like to accept Him as your personal Lord and Savior, please