1 Have mercy on me, O God, have mercy on me, for in you my soul takes refuge. I will take refuge in the shadow of your wings until the disaster has passed.
2 I cry out to God Most High, to God, who fulfills [his purpose] for me.
3 He sends from heaven and saves me, rebuking those who hotly pursue me; Selah God sends his love and his faithfulness.
4 I am in the midst of lions; I lie among ravenous beasts-- men whose teeth are spears and arrows, whose tongues are sharp swords.
5 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.
6 They spread a net for my feet-- I was bowed down in distress. They dug a pit in my path-- but they have fallen into it themselves. Selah
7 My heart is steadfast, O God, my heart is steadfast; I will sing and make music.
8 Awake, my soul! Awake, harp and lyre! I will awaken the dawn.
9 I will praise you, O Lord, among the nations; I will sing of you among the peoples.
10 For great is your love, reaching to the heavens; your faithfulness reaches to the skies.
11 Be exalted, O God, above the heavens; let your glory be over all the earth.

The Lions Den

My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.     -II Cor 12:9

In one of my Bibles is a picture of Daniel in the lion's den. It's a beautiful painting, a work of art. What I like most is the position Daniel has taken. He has turned his back on the lion. His hands are bound behind his back. Nevertheless, Daniel is looking up toward a small window, praying. He is looking at his source of strength instead of the menacing problem.

I like to study the crouching lion too. One day it occurred to me that the mighty beast had a baffled look on his giant face. He wasn't accustomed to coming up against fearless men. Confused, maybe even fearful himself, he sat there and did nothing. Daniel walked out of the lion's den the next morning without a scratch.

Sooner or later all of us find ourselves in a lion's den of some sort. Maybe you're shut up in one today. Like Daniel, walk to a window and look up to God, Who is bigger and stronger than any enemy in the world. Turn your back to your fearful problem and face a God Who is waiting to hear from you.

Thank You, Father for truly Your strength does show up best in weakness.     -Marion Bond West

My heart is fixed, O God, my heart is fixed...     -Psalm 57:7

Fix your heart on Him --He is your strength