Today we come, I think, to Daniel's faith. I say "I think" because even though Daniel is not mentioned by name in Hebrews 11, I am of the opinion that it is Daniel who is being described in verse 33:  "who through faith...shut the mouths of lions" (NIV). The hero of faith who instantly comes to my mind is Daniel. If there is one story in the Old Testament that most people can remember from their childhood, it is that of Daniel in the lion's den. It was because of his faith in God that he was cast into the den of lions (Dan. 6:1-16). He prayed to God even though it sealed his death sentence. King Darius, who had been tricked into making the ban of prayer, really liked Daniel. He said to him, "May your God, who you serve continually, rescue you!" (Dan. 6:16). Early the next morning the king rushed to the lion's den to see if Daniel had been spared. Daniel cried out to the king, "O king, live forever. My God sent his angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me because I was found innocent in his sight" (v. 21). This ancient story challenges us to trust in God in the most dire and dark circumstances. Deliverance will come!

Hymn: "Standing by a purpose true, heeding God's command. Honor them, the faithful few! All hail to Daniel's band. Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone! Dare to have a purpose true! Dare to make it known!" (Philip P. Bliss)