但以理在狮子坑
但以理书六章16至28节
16王下令，人就把但以理带来，扔在狮子坑中。王对但以理说：你所常事奉的神，他必救你。
17有人搬石头放在坑口，王用自己的玺和大臣的印，封闭那坑，使惩办但以理的事毫无更改。
18王回宫，终夜禁食，无人拿乐器到他面前，并且睡不着觉。
19次日黎明，王就起来，急忙往狮子坑那里去。
20临近坑边，哀声呼叫但以理，对但以理说：永生神的仆人但以理啊，你所常事奉的神能救你脱离狮子么？
21但以理对王说：愿王万岁！
22我的神差遣使者，封住狮子的口，叫狮子不伤我；因我在神面前无辜，我在王面前也没有行过亏损的事。
23王就甚喜乐，吩咐人将但以理从坑里系上来。于是但以理从坑里被系上来，身上毫无伤损，因为信靠他的神。
24王下令，人就把那些控告但以理的人，连他们的妻子儿女都带来，扔在狮子坑中。他们还没有到坑底，狮子就抓住（原文是胜了）他们，咬碎他们的骨头。
25那时，大利乌王传旨，晓谕住在全地各方、各国、各族的人说：愿你们大享平安！
26现在我降旨晓谕我所统辖的全国人民，要在但以理的神面前，战兢恐惧。因为他是永远长存的活神，他的国永不败坏；他的权柄永存无极！
27他护庇人，搭救人，在天上地下施行神迹奇事，救了但以理脱离狮子的口。
28如此，这但以理，当大利乌王在位的时候和波斯王塞鲁士在位的时候，大享亨通。
信息分享
我们可以想像但以理被押到狮子坑的情景吗？王一定是一脸懊恼，看着但以理以充满平安和信心的坚定脚步，慢慢地走往狮子坑。在但以理被扔进狮子坑前的一刻，王虽然没有亲口道歉，但歉疚之心溢于言表，而他更公开承认但以理的神和祂的大能（16节）。
大利乌王回宫之后，终夜难眠。可是，但以理却在狮子坑中舒舒服服地度过一宵。连狮子也似乎只能安然入睡，牠们不能如常在牠们的巢中任意而行；神和祂的仆人但以理才是真正掌权者，牠们根本无法伤害他。
但以理究竟有甚么方法来驯服狮子呢？但以理清楚表示：「我的神差遣使者，封住狮子的口，叫狮子不伤我。」（22节）
大利乌王提出了一个十分发人深省的问题。我们今天的朋友和邻舍，可能也经常问同一个问题，那就是：「你所服事和祷告的神，能否真正满足你的需要，和拯救你脱离生命中的危难呢？」我们应该像但以理一样，作出坚定而响亮的回答：「祂当然能！」
当我们面对人生中的严峻考验时，我们该怎样做呢？我们要凭着信心，默然将自己交在神的手中，相信这位信实的神必为我们开一条最好的出路。
有些时候，神会以某种方法来拯救我们脱险；但有些时候，祂或许未必如我们所期望的那样拯救我们。神那至高无上的旨意，有时跟我们的计划和心愿有很大距离。然而，祂却清楚知道甚么是最好的；祂将会以祂的方式一直拖带着我们经过，以致让祂得着最大的荣耀。祂是全知的神，我们只管信靠祂。
DANIEL IN THE LION'S DEN
Daniel 6:16~28
16 So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you.”
17 Then a stone was brought and laid on the mouth of the den, and the king sealed it with his own signet ring and with the signets of his lords, that the purpose concerning Daniel might not be changed.
18 Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him.
19 Then the king arose very early in the morning and went in haste to the den of lions.
20 And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice to Daniel. The king spoke, saying to Daniel, “Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?”
21 Then Daniel said to the king, “O king, live forever!
22 My God sent His angel and shut the lions’ mouths, so that they have not hurt me, because I was found innocent before Him; and also, O king, I have done no wrong before you.”
23 Now the king was exceedingly glad for him, and commanded that they should take Daniel up out of the den. So Daniel was taken up out of the den, and no injury whatever was found on him, because he believed in his God.
24 And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions—them, their children, and their wives; and the lions overpowered them, and broke all their bones in pieces before they ever came to the bottom of the den.
25 Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you.
26 I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
27 He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders
In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions.
28 So this Daniel prospered in the reign of Darius and in the reign of Cyrus the Persian.
Message
Can we imagine that walk to the lion's den? The king in anguish, walked slowly with Daniel who was cool, confident and full of faith. As Daniel was thrown into the pit, Darius almost apologized. He certainly gave a remarkable acknowledgement of Daniel's God and His power (v.16).
Then Darius went home but could not sleep. Daniel spent a comfortable night on the den floor. The lions apparently slept well too. They were not in control of their own den as they usually were. God and Daniel were in control and the lions were unable to touch their intended victim.
What was the secret of their inaction? Daniel said it (v.22), "My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me."
Darius asked a remarkable question. It is often repeated today. It may be asked silently by our neighbours and friends. "Is the God you serve, the God you pray to, adequate to meet the needs and the crises of your life?" Our answer should be as strong and clear as Daniel's. "Yes, He certainly is!"
What can we do when severe tests come to us? Quietly in faith we must commit ourselves and the outcome of the test to our faithful God who knows best and leave it all with Him.
God may deliver us in one way or another, but sometimes he may not. His sovereign will is sometimes very different from what we plan or desire. But He knows best and He will carry us through our situation in a way that will bring the greatest glory to Him. Trust Him. He knows what He is doing.