Are you feeling that you just don't belong in our culture or that you're a foreigner in your own land? As Christians we are actually set apart from the world. So when you feel as though you're living in a strange land, rejoice in knowing that you are part of God's Kingdom, not the world's. "But you are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, God's special possession, that you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. . . Dear friends, I urge you, as foreigners and exiles, to abstain from sinful desires, which war against your soul" (1 Peter 2:9-11).
When you feel overwhelmed by the shadow of the world and alone in your stand for the Truth, look toward Daniel's example. No matter what temptation or pressure was set before Daniel, he always remembered that he was set apart from this world. And knowing that he was part of God's Kingdom and that God was on his side gave Daniel the strength to face the world.
God calls us to His own set of standards and morals -- not those of the people around us. And as we follow what is righteous, we must also stand up for righteousness. When we are ridiculed for our beliefs, we must hold on to our identity in Christ. Challenging the status quo will not be easy, but we must stand firm in our beliefs, or we will be swept up in the current of this world.
Prayer: God, sometimes I feel like I just don't belong in this world. Help me to remember that I belong to Your Kingdom. Help me to follow Daniel's example and to stand up for what is right. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth" (Hebrews 11:13).
