In Real Life Daniels Get Eaten by the Lions

I've always loved action stories in the Bible.

• David and Goliath
• Samson and the Philistines
• Jonah and the whale
• and of course, Daniel in the Lion's Den

I loved these stories as a boy because they were cool, fun, and because the good guy always won.

And the lesson that was taught was that if you do what's right, things are going to work out.

That's always the lesson.

But the problem is that's not always how things work out.

In real life, the guy in the lion's den gets eaten by the lions, the giant slays the boy, and the whale swallows up and digests the guy eaten.

Not only is this how it works in the real world, it works that way in the Biblical world too. Just take a look at Hebrews chapter 11 or consider what happened to all the disciples of Jesus Christ. Oh, and don't forget what happened to Jesus.

The problem with stories like Daniel in the lion's den is that Daniel's experience in the lion's den is the exception and not the rule.

And if that's the case, why is it in the Bible? What am I supposed to take from that? Because the reality is that very few, if any, of us are going to ever be the exception. So if none of us are ever going to be the exception, what are we supposed to learn from these stories? That we suck? That life hurts? What's the point?

The lesson God wants to teach me through Daniel is still an important lesson for all of us to learn.

All of Daniel's actions were driven by his intense understanding of an eternal God. Daniel couldn't help but see everything through the lens of eternity. That's why he was more than willing to face a certain death because he was even more certain of His eternal God.

And that's a great lesson no matter what we're facing and when we're living because that's the same God who loves you and me!