Micah J. Sturm

The people of God are exiles.

Homesickness is like carrying the weight of the world. Psalm 137 is the song of the day.

Political agendas and powerful agents create tremendous turmoil for any whose allegiance belongs to the Living God.

Those who “resolve that [we will] not defile [ourselves] with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drinks” (Daniel 1:8) are distinct among a culture of compromise.

Fiery furnaces and lion’s dens are real possibilities.

God uses Daniel and his friends during their exile.

God enables Daniel to make a difference in a hostile environment. Yet, Daniel does not fully understand everything that’s being done in and through him, so he says, “what shall be the outcome of these things?” (Daniel 12:8).

Daniel’s day feels familiar.

We’re far from home and under the weight of the world.

Powerful agents with personal and political agendas seek to eliminate any whose hearts fully belong to Christ.

The answer Daniel received echoes into our moment too—“You keep going till the end” (Daniel 12:13).

I hear encouraging words in Daniel 12 for us today:

“Keep TRUSTING in troubled times” (12:1)

“Keep LEARNING the things of God that makes one wise” (12:3)

“Keep LEADING OTHERS to the Lord” (12:3)

“Keep STEADY even when others sway” (12:4)

“Keep BELIEVING when we don’t understand” (12:8)

Exile doesn’t last forever!

God will bring us home!

Friend, don’t give up…let’s just KEEP GOING!