“My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me, for I have been found innocent in his sight. And I have not wronged you, Your Majesty” (Daniel 6:22, NLT).
We were enjoying a prayer meeting. Fifteen women had gathered to talk to God. To encourage our hearts, we were reading together from the Word. We marveled at Daniel, noting that something wonderful happened every time he prayed.
“How brave and courageous he was,” said one.
“How close he kept to the Father,” exclaimed another.
“How special his gifts – and how faithful a servant!” added a third. There was silence…
“What I like best about this story,” said one of my friends, “is the bit about the lions. Daniel said in 6:22, ‘My God sent his angel to shut the lions’ mouths so that they would not hurt me.’ If God shut the lions’ mouths, I know he can surely shut mine!”
We prayed about that – all of us.
As a young man and a slave under a foreign king, Daniel had relied on his God and learned when to open and when to close his mouth, so Daniel’s wisdom was esteemed by four great rulers – Nebuchadnezzar, Belshazzar, Darious, and Cyrus. Even Belshazzar’s mother recommended listening to Daniel’s words of wisdom: “There is a man in your kingdom who has within him the spirit of the holy gods. During Nebuchadnezzar’s reign, this man was found to have insight, understanding, and wisdom like that of the gods” (Dan. 5:11). Daniel was wise – and his words reflected it.
When you can control your tongue, God gets the glory and people are amazed.
PRAYER
Lord, thank You for the assurance that I can rely on You for wisdom to control my tongue. I know it is too easy to say words that are hurtful and discouraging. Keep the importance of my every word before me each day. Help my words and conversation bring glory to You. Amen.
