I went to the San Diego Zoo a few years ago with my family, and it was an amazing experience. My parents have been long-time supporters of the zoo, and we got to go behind the scenes and see some animals up close and personal. One experience that I’ll never forget was going to see the lions in their holding pens. This was a place where they were fed and would receive care by the keepers in privacy, away from the public’s prying eyes.
One particular lion had just experienced the death of a family member and he was walking around his pen, softly crying out. It wasn’t anything close to a full throated roar, which can be heard 5 miles away. Yet every time this beast whimpered, my whole body shook from the power of his voice. It was amazing- awe-inspiring- and also sad for the lion. I couldn’t help but worship God as I watched this majestic creature from such a close vantage point. The strength and intimidation, the power and ferocity of the animal are unmatched among all land animals. There is a reason it is referred to as the king of the jungle. But you know what my favorite part of the exhibit was? The thick plexiglass wall that separated my family and I from the lion.
It is interesting to me that the Apostle Peter compares a roaring lion to Satan in 1 Peter 5:8. Here, the LORD is saying that our enemy is savage, and brings powerful obstacles into our life that have the capability of eating us whole. What lions would you say you are facing down in your life today? Opposition at work? Betrayal of people close to you? Temptations and addictions you are fighting for your life against? The possibilities are unfortunately endless and vary regarding their degree of severity.
Sometimes it can feel like we are face to face with the lions and have to use all our strength and cunning to avoid getting eaten alive. This weekend we will look at the familiar story of someone who came face to face with the lions and came out unscathed. We will look at the events leading up to Daniel and the Lion’s Den, how and why he survived, and what this means for us today.
I invite you to join with us this weekend as we study Daniel 6 together. Our socially distanced service is Saturday afternoon at 3:30, and our Sunday morning service is at 10:15, where you can join us online if you can’t make it in person. We also have excellent Sunday School classes at 9 for all ages.
Have a great weekend and I look forward to pursuing Christ, Community, and the Great Commission Together with you soon!
-Pastor Nathan