The Gospel Magazine

194 The Gospel Magazine
Daniel's was a case of this kind. God had greatly honoured him,
and in His providence had placed him in the highest position in the
realm next to the king. This provoked the jealousy and hatred of
the hundred and twenty princes and of the two other presidents
over whom Daniel was placed. In the business of the kingdom they
could find "none occasion nor fault" against Daniel. They proceeded
therefore to endeavour to bring about his downfall in
reference to the worship of his God. Craftily they got the king to
sign a decree declaring that" whosoever shall ask a petition of any
God or man for thirty days," save of the king, "he shall be cast
into the den of lions."
We do not know what passed through Daniel's mind when he
heard of this wicked design, but it would seem that with calmness
of mind and trust in his God, "he kneeled upon his knees three
times a day, and prayed, and gave thanks before his God, as he did
aforetime." By Divine grace he seems to have been in a large
measure unperturbed and fearless. The Lord kept him in peace in
very large measure. We know the wonderful issue and how Daniel's.
God sent His angel and shut the lions' mouths (see Dan. vi).
A New Testament case is that of Paul. More than forty men
" bound themselves, under a curse, saying that they would neither
eat nor drink till they had killed Paul."
The very night before, however, "The Lord stood by him, and
said, Be of good cheer, Paul: for as thou hast testified of me in
Jerusalem, so must thou bear witness also at Rome." This gracious
promise secured with absolute certainty the safety of Paul against
the wicked designs of his enemies, and, resting on that promise, Paul
seems to have enjoyed much peace of mind in relation to this conspiracy.
In like manner whatever men or devils design against the
Lord's people they may be peacefully assured that God is on their
side, and that no harm can come to them unless Divinely permitted.
4. There may be peace of m~nd tn regard to lYusiness and domestic
worries.
The believer knows that even a " king's heart is the hand of the
Lord, as the rivers of water," and that" He turneth it whithersoever
He will" (Prov. xxi. 1). This being so, the hearts of
employers and of fellow-workmen are under Divine control, and the
Lord can influence them for the comfort of His Own people. WIJen