Daniel and the lions' den
A recent Christian Science Bible Lesson included the account of Daniel and the lions' den (Daniel 6). Daniel was preserved in the lions' den because, as he explained to King Darius later: "My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me; forasmuch as before him innocency was found in me; and also before thee, O king, have I done no hurt." (Daniel 6:22)
When I was studying the Lesson, I remembered something that happened a few years ago. I was working full time in a retail store and had come home to have dinner and then go on to teach two classes in a nearby college. After getting home, I took a walk before dinner. I was walking in a small field when I just collapsed. I remember saying to myself that God strengthens me. I got up but could only walk a few feet before collapsing again. I made it as far as our cul-de-sac but then couldn't remember where we lived.
I kept knowing that God's angel presence would show me the way and give me the strength to go forward. By crawling and walking, I was able to find our driveway and make it into the front door. Inside, I sat quietly thanking God and being grateful that I was continuously in the presence of God. After having dinner, I was able to go to the school and teach.
I was thinking about the fact that lions, metaphorically, might present themselves, but they are not to be feared. The lions of fear, anger, weakness, frustration, confusion, cannot have any power over us. When we listen and pray quietly, the lions' mouths are shut--that is, these suggestions have no power over us.
The Bible Lesson tied in the story of Daniel and the lions' den with this quotation from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: "The relations of God and man, divine Principle and idea, are indestructible in Science; and Science knows no lapse from nor return to harmony, but holds the divine order or spiritual law, in which God and all that He creates are perfect and eternal, to have remained unchanged in its eternal history." (470:32-471:5)
What was so helpful to me was the idea that when we learn a lesson in Christian Science, it is permanent. The lions are put in their place and we are released from the lions' den. Our relationship to God is indestructible.
When I was studying the Lesson, I remembered something that happened a few years ago. I was working full time in a retail store and had come home to have dinner and then go on to teach two classes in a nearby college. After getting home, I took a walk before dinner. I was walking in a small field when I just collapsed. I remember saying to myself that God strengthens me. I got up but could only walk a few feet before collapsing again. I made it as far as our cul-de-sac but then couldn't remember where we lived.
I kept knowing that God's angel presence would show me the way and give me the strength to go forward. By crawling and walking, I was able to find our driveway and make it into the front door. Inside, I sat quietly thanking God and being grateful that I was continuously in the presence of God. After having dinner, I was able to go to the school and teach.
I was thinking about the fact that lions, metaphorically, might present themselves, but they are not to be feared. The lions of fear, anger, weakness, frustration, confusion, cannot have any power over us. When we listen and pray quietly, the lions' mouths are shut--that is, these suggestions have no power over us.
The Bible Lesson tied in the story of Daniel and the lions' den with this quotation from Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy: "The relations of God and man, divine Principle and idea, are indestructible in Science; and Science knows no lapse from nor return to harmony, but holds the divine order or spiritual law, in which God and all that He creates are perfect and eternal, to have remained unchanged in its eternal history." (470:32-471:5)
What was so helpful to me was the idea that when we learn a lesson in Christian Science, it is permanent. The lions are put in their place and we are released from the lions' den. Our relationship to God is indestructible.
C. N. Williamsport, Pennsylvania, United States