The EXILE — a 5-Day DevotionalSýnishorn

Day Two

Title: Roars Turned to Whispers

Scripture: Daniel 6:10

Track: Somebody Prayed

In times of tragedy, people of faith often offer up the familiar sentiment, “thoughts and prayers.” In the least, these words are meant to convey solidarity with those suffering — a message that they are not alone and their pain is acknowledged with empathy. At their most guttural, they are intended to shift reality. But, for those who do not believe in the supernatural activity of God in moments of human pain, this can be offensive, akin to offering no practical solutions to address the underlying issues. However, the story of Daniel demonstrates the power and efficacy of prayer — that it not only works but is worth contending for.

In the biblical narrative of Daniel chapter 6, we encounter Daniel and his companions amidst exile in Babylon, confronted with the clash of cultures and the weight of consequential decisions. Daniel defies a decree prohibiting prayers to any but the Babylonian ruler, Nebuchadnezzar. Opting to petition the God of Israel, Daniel's steadfastness leads to a perilous overnighter in a den full of LIONS! This is more than just an account of preservation; it’s a profound testament to the faithfulness of God and the power of unwavering trust in Him. Closed off with a stone, the den’s air is thick with danger, but it is also charged with Divine presence. Daniel’s ordeal is not just a Sunday school story; it’s a powerful allegory for the trials we all face and the quiet yet fierce trust we are called to maintain amidst our own lions’ den.

Daniel dared to pray. He worshiped God in a land that worshiped power and prosperity. His refusal to bend his knee to any but the one true God put him at odds with the empire. Our faith too will often put us at odds with the values of the space and time we find ourselves in. Culture roars with the noise of chaos, conflict, and confusion, trying to drown out the still, small voice.

When Daniel chooses prayer, God shuts the lions’ mouths. There is no dramatic rescue, no fire from heaven — just a quiet miracle in the darkness. The wild turned tame, the deadly made harmless. Sometimes, God’s deliverance is understated — a peace that passes understanding, a quiet reassurance that He is with us.

As you face your lions, remember Daniel. Remember that even in exile, even in the den, surrounded by danger, our God is a God of deliverance. Let faith lead your heart to pray even when night surrounds you. For just as with Daniel, the morning comes, the stone is rolled away, and God’s faithfulness is revealed anew. Let your lions’ den become a place where roars are turned to whispers, where fear turns to faith, and prayers of deliverance rise up in the dark.