The Pickens sentinel. (Pickens, S.C.) 1911-2016, 1917-09-20
INTERNATIONAL,
,Sl]Nn{XSCll()OL,
LESSON
Wy EEF. T. l3. FIrIWATER D. d.,
ubUWucher OF English Bible in tho Moody
B'bic Institute OF Chicago.)
Copyright. 1917. Western Newspaper Union.)
LESSON FOR SEPTEMBER %
DANIEL IN THE DEN OF LIONS.
LESION TEXT~Duniel 6.

encampeth round about them that fear
him. and devereth them.-psalms 34:7.
!. Daniel the Prime Minister Of the
Medo-Persian Empire wv. l-3).
Daniel's sterling worth brought him
to the front and kept him there. The
new king was quick TO discern his
| merits and to give them recognition by
placing him ut the head of affairs in
his kingdom.
u. An Occasion Sought Against
Daniel wv. 4-0).
GD The Reason of-I1nvy. To
have this foreigner placed over them
aroused the jealousy of the pres
idcnts and princes Of the empire, so
they set about to hive him removed.
The presence Of envy shows inferior
| ity. One never cnvirS those below
him II is hard to forgive those who
have outstrippcd us and left us be-
hind IN the race of life.
(2) The Failure w. ~. Daniels Of
fetal record was blamcless. Not even
an error could be found Of which they
could accuse him. Though he was
without fault he had to suffer. Those
who excel in any line are sure to suf-
fer In some way. 1t Is true in busl-
ness. the home, the school, politics and
, religion.
(3) The Wicked Plot wv. SOY. Not
being able to find any fault, they
trumDcd up charge against him on
the ground of his foreign religion.
They were not careful about the meth
Cd employed, just SO their end was at
tanned.
III. Daniels Noble Confession wv.
1919. Though Daniel knew That the
| wicked decree was signed, he knelt
before God three times Il day rs usual.
lie went quietly about his affairs, at
tended to his regular dcvotlons. he
cause he trusted Cod. There Is al
ways Il marked silence about hero
ism. Weak men blustcr. but strong
men have little to say. Daniel con-
tinucd his usual habit Of prayer, even
though 1t was II violation Of the civil
law, because he knew that Gods law
was first. When the laws of earth
conflict with the laws Of heaven there
Is but one thing TO do that Is, TO obey
God rather than man.
~. The Foolish Decree Executed
Wv. 1I-1O. The king was greatly dis
pleased with himself ". 1i) and dill
gently sought to deliver Daniel but
he was helpless (v. 15). The proud
ruler was a slave. Laws which change
not arc self-condemnatory, foolish,
positively wicked. The king was
weak for fear Of others, which is utter
Wickcdncss. Daniel was cast into the
den of lions ". 1G) and double seal
placed upon the den ". ~. They
were not content with the kings seal
alone, which shows that one rascal
Will not trust another. The kings
words, "rhy God, whom thou servcst
continually, he will deliver thee" to
Daniel were n poor excuse but they
were the hest that he could offer to
his conscience
V. Daniel Delivered wv. 1929.
(1) The Kings Slceplcss Night ".
l8). Doubtless Daniel was more com
Portable In the den Of lions than the
king In his palace. His quctudc is a
picture OF the safety and peace which
are the portion Of those who trust
God and do his will. This is Il sample
or what faith can do. ",rhou Wilt
keep him in perfect pence whose mind
Is stayed or thee, because he trustcth
thee"
(2) The Rings Question (v. 20). In
the morning the king called to Daniel
In the den of lions saying, as thy God
able" This is always the question OF
the unbcicving heart. The believing
heart says "Our God is able"
(3) Daniels Answer (v. 22). "AIy
God has sent his angel" Angels are
Gods ministcring spirits. "The angel
OF the Lord cncampcth round about
them that fear him, ana dclivcrcth
thcm." Psn'ms 34:7.) Many times no
doubt our lives are preserved because
we are guarded by Gods angels. Not
even sparrow falls to the ground
without the Father, ana The very hairs
OF our heads are numbered so we
ought to expect tie mouths of the
lions TO be shut against us.
(4) Daniel Removed From the Den
". 23). There was no manner Of hurt
upon him. The reason was that "he
believed in his God" The same rca
son is why the garments and hair of
his companions were not even singcd.
vi. Doom Of Daniels Accuscrs ".
2D. They were cast into The den Of
lions "and the lions had ilc mastery
| OF them, ana brake All their bones in
! pieces or eyer they came at the bot.
tom OF The dcn.'
Daniels God to &c Feared.
VII Darius Decree (yv. 2I27). He
dccrccd that in all PARTS Gf his king
dom men Of ali peoples and tongues
should trcmblc and fear before the
| GOd Of Daniel.
| VIII. Daniels Prosperity (y. 2S).