[:en]LIVING WITH LIONS
One of the original Striding Lions of Babylon is being displayed in Chicago museum. It is a large mural-type image of a winged lion with a ferocious expression. It symbolized Ishtar, the Babylonian goddess of love and war. There were 120 similar lions lined in a Babylonian pathway during the years of 604-562 BC.
After the Babyloniians defeated Jerusalem, the Hebrew captives had seen these lions during their time in Nebuchadnezzar;s kingdom. Historians said that it was likely that some of the Israelites would have believed Ishtar had defeated the God of Israel.
But Daniel, one of the Hebrew captives did not share the doubts of his fellow Israelites. His view of God and his commitment to God stayed firm. He prayed 3 times a day with his windows open even he knew it would cause him to enter a den of lions. But after God rescued Daniel from the hungry lions, King Darius declared: “Daniel’s God is the living God and He endures forever… He rescues and He saves” (Dan. 6:26-27). Daniel’s faithfulness had inspired King Darius to believe in the true and living God.
May we stay faithful to God despite pressure and discouragement. Faithfulness to God can inspire thers to know God and give Him the glory. -(Jennifer Benson Schuldt)
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