Surrounded, Yet Seen

Surrounded, Yet Seen

By: Vashti Graham

Artist Description:

This artwork is based on the story of Daniel in the lions’ den from the book of Daniel, chapter 6. Daniel was an older man at this point and had served several kings. The new king, Darius, liked Daniel and promoted him, but some jealous officials tricked the king into signing a law: No praying to anyone except the king for 30 days. Daniel kept praying to God anyway, so the officials had him arrested. By law, the king had to throw Daniel into a lions’ den, which was basically an underground pit used for executions. The king didn’t want Daniel to die, but the law couldn’t be changed.

Daniel was thrown in, the stone was rolled over the opening, and the king sealed it so no one could help him. According to the Bible, God sent an angel into the den, and the angel shut the mouths of the lions so they couldn’t hurt Daniel (Daniel 6:22). In the morning, the king rushed back, worried and hoping Daniel’s God had saved him and He had. Daniel came out without a single scratch.

Daniel is surrounded by danger, but God’s presence breaks through the darkness. The strong beam of light reflects what the Bible says: even when Daniel was hidden underground where no one else could see him, God saw him, stayed with him, and protected him.

Scripture References:

Daniel 6:16: “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (Even the king recognized Daniel’s faithfulness.)

Daniel 6:22 “My God sent His angel, and he shut the mouths of the lions. They have not hurt me…”

Daniel 6:23: “…no wound was found on him, because he had trusted in his God.”

Psalm 34:17: “The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles.”

Additional Study Notes You May Find Interesting:

God’s Light in Hidden Places: Daniel’s story reminds us that even in the darkest, most hidden places of our lives, God’s light still reaches us. What feels like a sealed off den to us is never closed to Him.

Faith That Stands Firm: Daniel didn’t know how God would move; he only knew that God would. His faith wasn’t in his circumstances changing, but in the unchanging character of God. That same God still rescues, sustains, and stands with us today.

Fear Falls Silent in God’s Presence: The lions didn’t disappear; God simply silenced them. Sometimes the fear stays, but it loses its power when God steps in.