Epic Failure

One of the most beloved Bible stories for people of all ages is Daniel in the Lion's Den. We are inspired by the great faithfulness Daniel showed to prayer and to God, and by God's response of deliverance by sending an angel to be with Daniel.

Often overlooked is the other key player in the story—King Darius. The sixth chapter of Daniel contains his example as a biblical outline for resolution of epic failure.

1. Snare

So these governors and satraps thronged before the king: "King Darius, live forever! … establish a royal statute and to make a firm decree, that whoever petitions any god or man for thirty days, except you, O king, shall be cast into the den of lions." … Therefore King Darius signed the written decree. (v. 6-7, 9)

Fear or lust can be the snare that sets us up for an epic failure. But they are rooted in what is surely the number one reason we fail: pride.

2. Disaster

"That Daniel, who is one of the captives from Judah, does not show due regard for you, O king, or for the decree that you have signed, but makes his petition [to his God] three times a day." (v. 13)

Do we ever see them coming—the consequences of those failures that rise to being called "epic"?

3. Acceptance of Responsibility

And the king, when he heard these words, was greatly displeased with himself … (v. 14)

When faced with epic failure, our first temptation may be to deflect blame. Accepting appropriate responsibility and repenting of the sinful action that set up the disaster isn't just the right thing to do. It also puts us in the best position to seek solution.

4. Immediate Remedy

… and set his heart on Daniel to deliver him; and he labored till the going down of the sun to deliver him. (v. 14)

Our failures affect those around us. Honest repentance will immediately look for a way to remedy the injury we've done to another.

5. Adherence to Righteousness

"Know, O king, that it is the law of the Medes and Persians that no decree or statute which the king establishes may be changed." So the king gave the command, and they brought Daniel and cast him into the den of lions. (v. 15-16)

The temptation may arise to obtain remedy by any means possible. We may rationalize that a new sin remedies the greater evil of the first. To plot the course away from sin and all its evil consequences, we must adhere to paths of righteousness.

6. Release to God in Faith

But the king spoke, saying to Daniel, "Your God, whom you serve continually, He will deliver you." (v. 16)

Whatever remedy we are able to effect, we are completely inadequate to restore the damage that results from sin. But we serve the Lord YHWH, our Deliverer from death and sin. We can turn to Him for remedy and restoration of anything.

7. Persistence in Prayer

Now the king went to his palace and spent the night fasting; and no musicians were brought before him. Also his sleep went from him. (v. 18)

Perhaps King Darius did not spend the night praying. And our prayers need not include fasting from food and sleep. But when we are desperate, emptying ourselves is one way of inviting God to step into a situation in a much bigger way than He might otherwise.

8. Expectation for Good Outcome

And when he came to the den, he cried out with a lamenting voice … "Daniel, servant of the living God, has your God, whom you serve continually, been able to deliver you from the lions?" (v. 20)

God works all for the good of those who love Him (Romans 8:28), even their own failures. No matter how "epic" our failure, God's ability to effect good through it is greater yet.

9. Action to Prevent Future Failure

And the king gave the command, and they brought those men who had accused Daniel, and they cast them into the den of lions … (v. 24)

King Darius held the position to rightly execute those who conspired to use him in the effort to murder Daniel. We should be as ruthless in rooting out of our lives all evil that leads to sin.

10. Glory to God

Then King Darius wrote:
To all peoples, nations, and languages that dwell in all the earth:
Peace be multiplied to you. I make a decree that in every dominion of my kingdom men must tremble and fear before the God of Daniel.
For He is the living God,
And steadfast forever;
His kingdom is the one which shall not be destroyed,
And His dominion shall endure to the end.
He delivers and rescues,
And He works signs and wonders In heaven and on earth,
Who has delivered Daniel from the power of the lions. (v. 25-27)

May we never fail to give thanks and glory to our Lord, Deliverer from epic failure!

~ ~ ~

"And some of those of understanding shall fall, to refine them, purify them, and make them white, until the time of the end."
~ Daniel 11:35 (NKJV)

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – use @gmail.com *after* buildingHisbody
Copyright 2013, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.

Failure

While all four Gospels include the account of Peter's denial of Jesus, only Mark—(consistently distinguished by attention to intriguing detail)—notes that Jesus said Peter's three denials would occur before the rooster crowed twice.

And when [the servant girl] saw Peter warming himself, she looked at him and said, "You also were with Jesus of Nazareth." But he denied it, saying, "I neither know nor understand what you are saying." And he went out on the porch, and a rooster crowed.
~ Mark 14:67-68 (NKJV)

Can you feel how torn Peter might have been? Though willing to fight, the possibility of defense with a sword has been eliminated. He is no doubt alert, yet weary after a night of pitifully little sleep. Having been singled out as a lone and defenseless disciple of Jesus among powerful enemies, Peter moves away from the fire to the porch (or vestibule) where he might be both a step away from his exit, yet still in proximity to His Lord.


Having denied His Lord once, does the cock's first crow signal a reminder warning of Jesus' prophecy? Perhaps Peter even considered leaving, but convinced himself he would not fail again.


I began this post thinking of the importance in heeding the warnings we receive—those promptings from the Holy Spirit to speak up when we will to remain silent, or to remain silent when we think to speak; to take action when it is more comfortable to walk away; to cease and desist when we venture into the territory of trespass.


But writing about the Bible can be take the same twists as reading the Bible. I am reminded that I am more like Peter than like Christ. My empathy lies not with my Lord who has been denied amid His torture, but with my brother Peter who loves Him and is crushed to fail Him. How often have I, like Peter, responded to the Spirit's warnings by bolstering myself with thoughts of willing spirit and underestimated weak flesh?


How often do I feel more sorry to think myself a failure than to feel sorry that I have failed my Lord?


My Lord, I love You with all my heart. I am pained to think of how I've denied You today in my weak flesh. I'm sorry to cause You grief, when You always seek to bless me. Please help me! Please help every person reading these words, that we might bring You more joy than sorrow.

"For I will forgive their iniquity,
And their sin I will remember no more."
~ Jeremiah 31:34 (NKJV)

Comments are welcome (including respectful disagreement) and will receive a reply.
You may also contact author via Twitter – @anne4JC
or e-mail – buildingHisbody [plus] @gmail.com
Copyright 2012, Anne Lang Bundy, all rights reserved.