Feeling God's care

Today in Sunday School we talked about Daniel who loved feeling close to God and prayed so often like we do every night to feel God’s care.

King Darius was a good king and made his servant Daniel the most important man in the realm. The King trusted him but others were jealous and wanted him thrown in the Den of Lions. They could find nothing wrong with Daniel except that he worshipped God. They reminded the king of his decree about treason and told the King Daniel would have to be punished for worshipping God and loving him more than the King. 

The King knew they did not understand but he was compelled to put Daniel in the Lions Den. He was sure that God would save Daniel.  He was up praying all night after Daniel had been shut in with the lions; a large stone had been put against the door of the den.

During the night Daniel had prayed too knowing that God is divine Love and thatHe would not let any of his creatures hurt each other.   In the morning when Darius hurried down to see Daniel he was so relieved to find him alive and well.  He told the king triumphantly…

"My God hath sent his angel, and hath shut the lions' mouths, that they have not hurt me.”
Daniel 6.22. 

In Science and Health with Key to the Scriptures by Mary Baker Eddy, p. 508, we read "Understanding the control which Love holds over all, Daniel felt safe in the lions' den…”

King Darius then told the whole of his country to worship God as he has dominion over all!

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Parent’s note.  
Those lions represent to us the various phases of error which come to us to be met and mastered by Truth.

Like Daniel we should be calm and not see evil as being powerful in any way; that God’s goodness overcomes erroneous thoughts every time.

I asked the little boy I was teaching if he thought Daniel cried when he saw the lions….. and he laughed at me and said:

“Oh, no.” 
and I said “Why not?”
and he showed me a big hug and said because God is everywhere; giving everyone a huge hug like this.

He’s now going to be like Daniel and pray to God every night when he goes to sleep….

“Father-Mother God,
Loving me, --
Guard me while I sleep;
Guide my little feet
Up to Thee”.    

                      [This is a prayer Mary Baked Eddy wrote for the little ones.]

It’s lovely to see children’s innocent love acknowledging God looking after them and making them strong. This trust grows as we tell them the Bible stories when people [like Goliath] try to make us all afraid!