Daily Affirmations - Day 6 - Resolute Wisdom - Living in Exile

Day 6: Living in exile

The living God endures forever...His dominion will never end

So Daniel was brought before [King Belshazzar], and the king said to him… “I have heard that the spirit of the gods is in you and that you have insight, intelligence and outstanding wisdom” (Daniel 5:13, 14).

Our Father, the prophet Daniel prayed, "Praise be to the name of God for ever and ever; wisdom and power are His. He changes times and seasons; He deposes kings and raises up others. He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to the discerning... I thank and praise You God of my ancestors: You have given me wisdom and power..." (Daniel 2:20-21, 23).

Daniel was quick to acknowledge that You were the source of wisdom when he was able to interpret King Nebuchadnezzar's dream— not only did he express gratitude in prayer, but he was careful to give You honor and credit before the king rather than follow any temptation to pride: “The great God has shown the king what will take place in the future. The dream is true and its interpretation is trustworthy” (Daniel 2:45).

Father, You tell us in Your word, "Those who honor Me I will honor..." (1 Samuel 2:30), and Daniel's life is a witness to this promise. From his early resolve not to defile himself with the king's delicacies (Daniel 1:8)— to his quiet determination to continue to pray to his God despite an evil law to the contrary (Daniel 6:10), Daniel consistently chose resolute wisdom and godly courage over fear and compromise.

In so doing, he not only brought glory and honor to You as the God of gods and the Lord of kings (Daniel 2:47), but he was himself honored and respected through multiple regimes even while living in exile under a hostile power (Daniel 5:10-14).

Lord, we too, are sojourners in a country not our own. You have told us clearly that Your kingdom is not of this world (John 18:36). And You have given us instructions on how we are to live: Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which wage war against your soul (1 Peter 2:11).

Help us, our God! We know that it is not easy to be strong in the face of pressure, to be courageous in the face of danger, to be resolute in the face of temptation. But we do not have to stand in our own strength— Your grace is sufficient; Your power is made perfect in weakness (2 Corinthians 12:9).

Give us resolve, give us courage, give us wisdom— so that we will not defile ourselves with the delicacies of this world; so that we would not endorse evil and compromise our faith; so that we would not capitulate to evil human laws and commands that dishonor You.

Lord, be glorified in us!

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