“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime,” (6:22).

The Lion’s Mouths were gaping open long before Daniel was thrown into the den. In Scripture, Lions are sometimes cited as the very enemies of God and His people, lurking with their Mouths wide open in wait of their prey. The devil himself is described as a roaring Lion in 1 Peter 5:8.

Psalm 22, the Messianic Psalm of the Cross prophesying the passion of our Savior at His crucifixion, likens the adversaries of Jesus to a ravenous and roaring Lion.

Be not far from me, for trouble is near;
For there is none to help.
¹² Many bulls have surrounded me;
Strong bulls of Bashan have encircled me.
¹³ They open wide their mouth at me,
As a ravening and a roaring lion, (Palms 22:11-13).

And indeed Lions were lurking, plotting in jealous resentment with Mouths wide open, in wait of an opportunity to catch David in the jaws of their devious schemes; and to their dismay they could bring no charge against the faithful one of God.

Then this Daniel began distinguishing himself among the commissioners and satraps because he possessed an extraordinary spirit, and the king planned to appoint him over the entire kingdom. ⁴ Then the commissioners and satraps began trying to find a ground of accusation against Daniel in regard to government affairs; but they could find no ground of accusation or evidence of corruption, inasmuch as he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption was to be found in him, (6:3-4).

And these Lions realized their only hope to discredit this distinguished man of God would be in regard to his commitment of faithful worship to his God.

Then these men said, “We will not find any ground of accusation against this Daniel unless we find it against him with regard to the law of his God,” (6:5).

And their Mouths plotted and schemed against the faithful one of God. And it’s interesting to note, they obviously believed Daniel would not forsake his God, and thus the conspiracy was forged, demanding worship to no other god besides Darius, the king.

All the commissioners of the kingdom, the prefects and the satraps, the high officials and the governors have consulted together that the king should establish a statute and enforce an injunction that anyone who makes a petition to any god or man besides you, O king, for thirty days, shall be cast into the lions’ den,” (6:7).

And even though Daniel knew the pending consequences, he continued, as was his habit, praying and giving thanks before his God.

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously, (6:7).

Also interesting to note, the Lions’ Mouths conspired against their own king as well; for as their deceptive plan unfolded, the king himself was trapped and distressed at what had been irrevocably set in place.

Then, as soon as the king heard this statement, he was deeply distressed and set his mind on delivering Daniel; and even until sunset he kept exerting himself to rescue him. ¹⁵ Then these men came by agreement to the king and said to the king, “Recognize, O king, that it is a law of the Medes and Persians that no injunction or statute which the king establishes may be changed,” (6:14-15).

And with no hope of revoking his order, this pagan king proclaims one of the most profound statements of faith ever uttered from the mouth of man.

Then the king gave orders, and Daniel was brought in and cast into the lions’ den. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Your God whom you constantly serve will Himself deliver you,” (6:16).

While Daniel was praying and believing, the king was fasting, sleeplessly anticipating what morning light would reveal.

Then the king went off to his palace and spent the night fasting, and no entertainment was brought before him; and his sleep fled from him. ¹⁹ Then the king arose at dawn, at the break of day, and went in haste to the lions’ den. ²⁰ When he had come near the den to Daniel, he cried out with a troubled voice. The king spoke and said to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you constantly serve, been able to deliver you from the lions?” (6:18-20).

And as we know, the God Whom Daniel constantly served, did in fact deliver His Servant, for He is the God Who Will Shut the Lions’ Mouths.

“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime,” (6:22).

Consider Him Who Will Shut the Lions’ Mouths

• When the enemy is lurking to catch the afflicted…
  • He lurks in a hiding place as a lion in his lair;
    He lurks to catch the afflicted;
    He catches the afflicted when he draws him into his net, (Psalm 10:9).
• …He Will Shut the Lions’ Mouth to Deliver the righteous.
  • Many are the afflictions of the righteous,
    But the Lord delivers him out of them all, (Psalm 34:19).

• When the enemy surrounds us to cast us down to the ground…
  • They have now surrounded us in our steps;
    They set their eyes to cast us down to the ground.
    ¹² He is like a lion that is eager to tear,
    And as a young lion lurking in hiding places, (Psalm 17:11-12).
• …He Will Shut the Lions’ Mouth to Sustain all who fall.
  • The Lord sustains all who fall
    And raises up all who are bowed down, (Psalm 145:14).

• When the reckless treachery of the enemy roars against God’s Rule to profane His Holiness…
  • Her princes within her are roaring lions,
    Her judges are wolves at evening;
    They leave nothing for the morning.
    ⁴ Her prophets are reckless, treacherous men;
    Her priests have profaned the sanctuary, (Zephaniah 3:3-4).
• …He Will Shut the Lions’ Mouth to Establish His Throne in the Strength of His Righteousness and Justice.
  • You have a strong arm;
    Your hand is mighty, Your right hand is exalted.
    ¹⁴ Righteousness and justice are the foundation of Your throne;
    Lovingkindness and truth go before You, (Psalm 89:13-14).

How do we respond to Him Who Shuts the Lions’ Mouths?

While it is God Who Will Shut the Lion’s Mouth, that doesn’t mean we should play lion tamer and stick our head between its teeth. Peter told us to be alert because our enemy is always on the prowl, fully intending to devour any he might catch unawares.

Be of sober spirit, be on the alert. Your adversary, the devil, prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour, (1 Peter 5:8).

And Paul wrote that we must not be ignorant of the schemes of this roaring lion.

so that no advantage would be taken of us by Satan, for we are not ignorant of his schemes, (2 Corinthians 2:11).

We must depend on God’s strength and the provision of His spiritual armor to stand against the schemes of the devil and keep ourselves from playing lion tamer or being pushed into the Lions’ den.

Finally, be strong in the Lord and in the strength of His might. ¹¹ Put on the full armor of God, so that you will be able to stand firm against the schemes of the devil, (Ephesians 6:10-11).

God is the One Who Will Shut the Lions’ Mouths; we are to trust. But we have to ready ourselves, as Daniel did. How much more difficult would it have been for Daniel to stand up to the conspiracy of his enemies if it had not been his daily habit to bow before the Lord in abject humility and devout faith.

Daniel simply continued doing his day-by-day practice, fully aware of the scheme being perpetrated against him, yet entrusting himself to his God Who Is Able to Deliver and Shut Lions’ Mouths.

Now when Daniel knew that the document was signed, he entered his house (now in his roof chamber he had windows open toward Jerusalem); and he continued kneeling on his knees three times a day, praying and giving thanks before his God, as he had been doing previously, (6:10).

Daniel gave all the credit to his God, but he did add an “inasmuch” explanation; he was innocent before God and the king.

“My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths and they have not harmed me, inasmuch as I was found innocent before Him; and also toward you, O king, I have committed no crime,” (6:22).

Daniel’s “inasmuch” was his declaration of faith; a faith that was manifested in his actions. In other words, Daniel walked his talk; he lived out his beliefs. Oh, that we would draw near to Him daily, to be strengthened so as to live out what we profess.

Because the truth is, there are Lions’ Mouths filled with hatred, seeking to devour and destroy God’s people. Jesus told us this would be the case. But as we spend time with Him, He will strengthen us to stand in the strength of His might until the end.

“You will be hated by all because of My name, but it is the one who has endured to the end who will be saved,” (Matthew 10:22).

May we never be trapped in ignorance of the schemes of the enemy. Let us commit to diligently continue in His Word, in worship, and in prayer each and every day that we would endure to the end as we wait in faith for that day when He Will Shut the Lion’s Mouths for all of eternity.

And the devil who deceived them was thrown into the lake of fire and brimstone, where the beast and the false prophet are also; and they will be tormented day and night forever and ever, (Revelations 20:10).

Let’s Grow Together!