The God Who Remains with Those Who Feel Exiled

Feeling powerless amid upheaval or uncertainty? Jennifer Slattery reflects on Daniel 1:6-9, showing how God remained with Daniel during exile and worked through him to influence a nation. This devotional reminds believers that even in times of political, social, or personal turmoil, God is sovereign, present, and always working for the good of His children.

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Highlights

• Daniel’s faithfulness in exile demonstrates God’s ability to protect, elevate, and use His people, even in foreign or difficult circumstances.

• God’s favor can work through unlikely individuals—including secular leaders—for His purposes.

• Biblical truth affirms God’s control over earthly powers (Proverbs 21:1).

• Darkness—whether personal, societal, or global—cannot overcome God’s light (John 1:5).

• Anticipating God’s work in our lives fosters hope and resilience, even amid chaos and hardship.

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How have you seen God work in unexpected ways during challenging seasons? Share your reflections and encourage others to trust His sovereignty. Tag @LifeAudioNetwork and use #FaithInTheChaos #GodRemains #LightInTheDarkness to join the conversation.

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Full Transcript Below:

The God Who Remains with Those Who Feel Exiled

By Jennifer Slattery

Bible Reading:

Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego.

But Daniel resolved not to defile himself with the royal food and wine, and he asked the chief official for permission not to defile himself this way. Now God had caused the official to show favor and compassion to Daniel. - Daniel 1:6-9

Political change, company takeovers and buyouts, national or global unrest often leave us feeling unsettled and anxious, and understandably so. Those who lead our state and country wield significant power—but not even the most powerful earthly institutions and officials can thwart God’s plans for us or His kingdom. He remains on His heavenly throne, regardless of who sits in the Oval Office—or holds the position of CEO in the company for whom we work. He is our Father and King who loves to lavish His children with favor and grace, as He did with Daniel, the exiled Hebrew teenager selected to receive special training to enter the royal service. 

The chief of staff also gave him a Babylonian name, as the IVP Bible Background Commentary states, to “exercise authority over them and their destiny,” adding that “since names often made statements about deity, Babylonian names would impose at least a subtle level of acknowledgement of the Babylonian gods on the young men.”

This is, in part, why today’s passage holds such significance. According to Nelson’s New Illustrated Bible Manners and Customs, “the faith of one man, Daniel, influenced and helped preserve the faith of a nation. He took his stand for God and was rewarded for his faith. He became, in effect, the prime minister (Dan. 2:48). And he continued in some sort of leadership role until the first year of Cyrus (Dan. 1:21) and even into his third year.” 

His courage, position, and influence likely allowed the other exiles to practice their faith in a foreign land with decreased fear.  

Intersecting Life & Faith:

As I said at the beginning of today’s reflection, upheaval and change, nationally, and globally, economically, and in our workplaces, can leave us feeling vulnerable