Over a century ago a lady named Mary Wheeler wrote the lyrics to this song, providing people in her day a fresh occasion to think about Daniel and lions. Singing it with you today gives us our own fresh occasion to do the same. Please give “He Is Able To Deliver” a sing-along listen, then come back and we’ll spend some time with Daniel — and the lions.

Kinds of lions

No doubt you’ve heard about Daniel and his encounter with the lions. What a timely incident to revisit and study.

Have you considered that there were two kinds of lions in this record? Both kinds behaved in a way that many would find surprising.

Indeed, in this record from Daniel, the members of the first — the evil — kind of lions were surprised by how the members of second — the jungle — kind of lions behaved. These jungle lions did not have anything against Daniel. They just wanted a meal. What a blessing their surprising behavior was!

The Lord has supplied intel so we can understand why these two kinds of lions acted as they did in those remarkable days, and also so we can know how to conduct ourselves when this evil kind of lion confronts us today.

Lyin’ lions

So, what do we know about these lions? Let’s read from Daniel 6:
Now it pleased Darius to appoint 120 satraps [local leaders] to rule throughout the kingdom, and over them three administrators, including Daniel, to whom these satraps were accountable so that the king would not suffer loss. Soon, by his extraordinary spirit, Daniel distinguished himself among the administrators and satraps. So the king planned to set him over the whole kingdom. Thus the administrators and satraps sought a charge against Daniel concerning the kingdom, but they could find no charge or corruption, because he was trustworthy, and no negligence or corruption was found in him. (Daniel 6:1 ff BSB)

Daniel — by his “extraordinary spirit” had won the king’s confidence. The king was placing Daniel in charge over the 120 satraps (local rulers) and — it seems — the other two administrators. The king said they would all accountable to Daniel. Daniel’s job description: to keep these leaders in line “so that the king would not suffer loss.”

Given that they could find no corruption or negligence or reason to distrust Daniel, we can understand why the king would give Daniel such a high office.

Given the way the rest of them responded, we can understand why the king might be correct to expect he would suffer loss if those satraps were left to their own devices.

Why did those evil leaders want Daniel dead? We find our clue there in Daniel 6. They were the sort of people who would cause loss to the king and they knew Daniel was the sort of person who would expose and foil their schemes. And they understood that there was a den of lions in town to handle evil people like them — if they got caught. No one was going to change their ways, neither the satraps nor Daniel. It was them or Daniel. Clearly, Daniel had to go. They did what such people do — they lied, schemed and plotted murder. Since they were in government, they employed a handy and “clean” method known today as “lawfare”. Fascinating to see lawfare goes way, way back.

Did you know a group of lions is called a “pride”? A pride of lions. How fitting. 1 Peter tells us about the top lion that leads and motivates such murderous lyin’ lions as these we find trying to devour Daniel:

Be sober-minded and alert. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. (1 Peter 5:8 BSB) You may have heard that old poem with the line “He has no hands but our hands …” The poem encourages us to be willing hands and feet for our Lord. We should not be surprised to hear our adversary has people working for him, too. We’ve been tipped off. Peter has told us to be sober-minded and alert.

Corinthians adds this light: “… in order that Satan should not outwit us. For we are not unaware of his schemes.” (2 Corinthians 2:11 BSB). Satan should not succeed in outwitting us — but we kid ourselves if we don’t see that the possibility of being outwitted is real. Let’s stay close to the Lord and be sober-minded and alert.

(Oh — how can we explain the surprising behavior of the other — the jungle — kind of lions? Daniel said God sent His angel, and that got it done. With the Lord and Daniel, it seems there was never a dull moment.)

Occasions

Why doesn’t God just get rid of the “lions” and make our lives easier? And if there must be lions, wouldn’t it be a better strategy to simply cross the street and avoid them? Seems like Daniel would have had a quieter night if only he had simply been more discreet with his praying.

God’s thoughts and ways are above ours. He did not build us to be defeated by evil. “No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.” God had Daniel’s back, and He has ours, too.

Can I have a “praise the Lord!” ?

These evil men “sought a charge” — sought “an occasion” against Daniel. Recall Samson, too, “sought an occasion” — in his case — “against the Philistines: for at that time the Philistines had dominion over Israel.”

But God — look what He orchestrated with these occasions. If Daniel had hidden his faith “underground”, the problem — and threat to Daniel — from both the evil lions AND the hungry lions remained. Daniel’s faith and faithfulness provided an occasion for God to act.

And act He did. A threat of two kinds of lions — evil ones and hungry ones. God was able to use one problem to solve another. And so Daniel was delivered that day, and his story has helped countless millions since then see and believe that He is able to deliver.

God bless you lots
-Dale R.

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Download this song sheet

LYRICS: Let the Joy Overflow
Text: Eliza Edmunds Hewitt (1917)
Tune: Charles Hutchinson Gabriel

LYRICS: He Is Able to Deliver
Text: Mary Sparkes Wheeler (1893)
Tune: Daniel Brink Towner (1894)

1 When the prophet Daniel prayed to God on bended knee,
With his windows open wide, despite the king’s decree,
And they cast him in the lions’ den, his life to close,
God was able to deliver him from all his foes.

Chorus:
For God’s angel is encamping,
Round about all them that fear Him;
He is able to deliver
All who put their trust in Him.

2 Wherefore is the king so sad, and wherefore does he fast?
As he thinks of Daniel, who within the den is cast;
O, thou servant of the living God, tell me, I pray,
From the lions’ cruel power can He save today?

3 O king, live forever! and from anxious care be free,
For my God has sent His angel to deliver me;
He has shut the lions’ mouths, my soul in triumph sings,
Oh, what joy to trust for shelter underneath His wings!

4 From the roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour,
God is able to deliver by His mighty power;
And the soul who comes to Jesus burdened and distressed,
Finds he’s able to deliver and to give him rest.

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