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Life often takes us through seasons where it feels as if God
is far away. Whether through personal struggles, unexpected detours, or even a
slow drifting of our faith, we sometimes feel like we've been pulled far from
His presence. Yet, Scripture reminds us that no matter how far we may go - or
how lost we feel - God’s presence and purposes remain steadfast. There is
always a remnant of faith within us, and God is always working, even in the
midst of what feels like chaos.
This week, I’ve been reflecting on Daniel Chapter 1 and the
story of Daniel and his friends in Babylon. Their journey is one of profound
faith and resilience. Despite being taken captive, exiled from their homeland,
and subjected to cultural indoctrination aimed at erasing their faith in God,
they remained steadfast.
At the very beginning of the chapter, we read:
"In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of
Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. And
the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of
the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his
god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god" (Daniel 1:1-2).
This scripture points out something critical: God
delivered Judah into the hands of Nebuchadnezzar. While it might be easy to
focus on the defeat and destruction, there’s a powerful truth woven into this
moment: God was still in control. Even when it seemed like everything was
falling apart—when the sacred articles from the temple were taken to a foreign
land—God’s plan wasn’t thwarted.
Similarly, when Daniel and his friends were brought to
Babylon, they faced a systematic attempt to erase their identity as God’s
people. They were given new names, taught Babylonian culture, and pressured to
conform to a pagan way of life. Yet, they thrived. Why? Because no matter what
their captors tried, they couldn’t remove God from their hearts.
This brings me to the idea of the remnant. There is always a
remnant of faith within us. It’s the small, unshakable piece of God’s presence
that remains no matter how far we’ve been dragged from His plans or purposes.
Even in the darkest moments, when we feel like our
circumstances or choices have distanced us from God, He is still there. His
presence cannot be erased. Like Daniel and his friends, we may find ourselves
in situations that seem designed to strip us of our faith. But God’s promises
endure, and His Spirit remains within us, giving us strength, wisdom, and the
ability to remain faithful.
In my own journey with cancer, there were moments when I
felt distant from God. The physical pain, emotional exhaustion, and uncertainty
about the future weighed heavily on me. Yet, even in those moments, I saw
glimpses of His presence—through the kindness of others, the peace that came
during prayer, and the unshakable hope that I wasn’t walking this path alone.
Daniel and his friends remind us that faith isn’t about
avoiding challenges; it’s about standing firm in the midst of them. They didn’t
just survive their time in Babylon—they thrived, serving as living testaments
to God’s power and faithfulness.
As we reflect on this story, let’s remember:
- God
is always with us. Whether we feel close to Him or far away, He never
leaves.
- Our
circumstances do not dictate God’s power. Even when we face
challenges, God is still working for our good.
- Faith
is resilient. Just as Daniel and his friends kept their faith alive,
we, too, carry a remnant of God’s Spirit within us, sustaining us through
every trial.
No matter where life takes us, or how far we feel from God,
His presence is unshakable. Like Daniel and his friends in Babylon, we can
thrive because we serve a God who never abandons us.
As I write this post this week, I am reminded of just how
fragile we are. I have a few friends and family members who are truly struggling
with their health and personal matters. One of my dear friends is about to walk
out of her oncologist’s office with hopefully a positive plan of treatment.
Another friend was to find out if she needed a full knee replacement.
My heart is with them this week and with everyone else who feels
lost in the midst of their chaos. I hope this post reminds them of the true
power and breadth of God.
Love you all,
April
Source: Daniel: https://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Daniel%201&version=NIV
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