When You’re in the Den… Stay Hungry

Daniel’s Dilemma

Text: Psalm 34, Daniel 6

Psalm 34:8–10

“Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good!

Blessed is the man who takes refuge in him!

Oh, fear the Lord, you his saints,

for those who fear him have no lack!

The young lions suffer want and hunger;

but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:8–10, ESV)

Main Thought:

When you find yourself in the den, remember it’s hunger that wins.

Daniel 6:3–5 (ESV)

3 “Then this Daniel became distinguished above all the other high officials and satraps, because an excellent spirit was in him. And the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. 4 Then the high officials and the satraps sought to find a ground for complaint against Daniel with regard to the kingdom, but they could find no ground for complaint or any fault, because he was faithful, and no error or fault was found in him. 5 Then these men said, ‘We shall not find any ground for complaint against this Daniel unless we find it in connection with the law of his God.’”

• Key Point: The enemy wants what’s on your life—sees the blessings and gets jealous.

• Concept: Lawfare—turning the legal system into a weapon.

Daniel 6:10 (ESV)

“When Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he went to his house where he had windows in his upper chamber open toward Jerusalem. He got down on his knees three times a day and prayed and gave thanks before his God, as he had done previously.”

• Key Point: He could have done what was convenient, but he chose consistency.

Daniel 6:16–18 (ESV)

16 “Then the king commanded, and Daniel was brought and cast into the den of lions. The king declared to Daniel, ‘May your God, whom you serve continually, deliver you!’ 17 And a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet and with the signet of his lords, that nothing might be changed concerning Daniel. 18 Then the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; no diversions were brought to him, and sleep fled from him.”

• Key Point: The true seekers in this world are secretly rooting for you. They desperately want to believe that what you believe is true.

Daniel 6:22–23 (ESV)

22 “My God sent his angel and shut the lions’ mouths, and they have not harmed me, because I was found blameless before him; and also before you, O king, I have done no harm.’ 23 Then the king was exceedingly glad and commanded that Daniel be taken up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no kind of harm was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”

• Key Point: Daniel’s appeal for justice was not to the king but to the King of kings.

Daniel 6:24 (ESV)

“And the king commanded, and those men who had maliciously accused Daniel were brought and cast into the den of lions—they, their children, and their wives. And before they reached the bottom of the den, the lions overpowered them and broke all their bones in pieces.”

• Key Point: Secular agendas that are being pushed now will ultimately destroy those who push them and future generations.

• Insight: Babylon always sacrifices its children on the altar of idolatry.

Takeaway:

There is a day coming when you will find yourself between what is RIGHT and what is CONVENIENT.

Lessons from Daniel:

1. You Will Always Cave to What You Crave

“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.” (Proverbs 4:23, NIV)

• Key Point: Compromise is the result of trading what is costly for what is convenient.

21st Century Lions’ Dens:

• The Digital Lion’s Den

• Lions of Lawfare

• Claws of Cancel Culture

2. The Secret to Standing Is Kneeling

“When you pray, go into your room, close the door, and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.” (Matthew 6:5–6, ESV)

• Quote: “No man is greater than his prayer life.” —Leonard Ravenhill

• Key Point: Daniel didn’t win in the den; he won every day he was on his knees.

Daniel’s 3-D Faith:

• Devotion (What I love)

• Dedication (What I value)

• Discipline (What I do)

If you haven’t resolved who you love and what you value, you’ll never do what is right when it counts.

3. The Lion You Feed the Most Wins

“The young lions suffer want and hunger, but those who seek the Lord lack no good thing.” (Psalm 34:10, ESV)

• Before You Get in a Fight, Ask Yourself:

• Am I prayed up?

• Is this the right fight?

• Do I have the home-field advantage?

• Did I fact-check before I get fact-checked?

• Am I in it to win the fight or win the soul?

4. Your Spiritual Blessings Do Not Rest in the Hands of a Secular King

“So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.” (Daniel 6:28, ESV)

• Key Point: The world cannot bless you with real treasure.

Additional Scriptures:

• “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me.” (Psalm 23:4, ESV)

• “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life.” (Psalm 23:6, ESV)

• “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled.” (Matthew 5:6, ESV)