Faithfulness in exile is not ultimately dependent upon our strength, but God’s grace. Daniel was delivered through his time of exile because he trusted in his God.

After God worked through the Persian King, Nehemiah makes his long journey to Jerusalem to inspect the walls and see the promises of God begin to take shape. He arrives to find the people living unprotected and surrounded by opposition from all sides. He leads the people to take confident action because the God of heaven will make them prosper.

The judgment that falls upon Belshazzar and upon Babylon is an emblem of the judgment that is coming upon the kingdoms of this world and its people. The only way to defeat the judgment that is to come is through faith in the righteousness of Christ.

What gave Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah the courage to defy the most powerful king on earth rather than violate their covenant with God? Where can we find that same courage when we are faced with the choice between confession and compromise?

If we would live wisely as exiles in Babylon, persevering through its tribulations, resisting its temptations, we must keep before our eyes the truth that all the kingdoms of this world will fall before the kingdom of Christ.