Latest Devotion
Faith--Your First Response
By: Kathie Welch
Friday, February 6, 2026
...the king should issue an edict and enforce the decree that anyone who prays to any god or human being during the next thirty days, except to you, Your Majesty, shall be thrown into the lions’ den. Daniel 6:7
King Darius listened to that unwise advice, then he put it into action. Daniel responded to Darius' decree by going home and praying to the One true God (Daniel 6:10-12). Despite the consequences, Daniel chose to honor God instead of obeying a decree of man. Daniel didn't try to hide his faith either! He prayed openly and regularly, just as he had always done. Daniel's faith in God helped him overcome his fears.
The story of Daniel illustrates an important principle for all Christ followers. How we respond to our trials is important! Our first response to a difficult situation usually sets the tone for how we'll deal with it later. Will we respond in faith, or will we give in to our fears? Daniel knew entering a lions’ den in God’s will would be better than feasting in the palace (the world) out of God’s will.
Jesus warned His disciples about trials, and that warning still applies to us: “I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33
Notice the perspective Jesus gave His disciples: He overcame the world, so we can have His peace in the middle of our biggest trials. If you are a Christ follower, Jesus is greater than your trials! He said it, do we believe it?
Think about what we know from scripture:
- God promises to never to leave or forsake us. (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5).
- God has a plan and a purpose for every trial He allows in our lives (Jeremiah 29:11).
- God makes all things work together for our good, even when we can't see it (Romans 8:28).
- God’s plans and purposes for our life include transforming us into Christ's image. (Romans 8:29).
- God will give us His peace in all situations, but we must keep our mind fixed on Him to find it (Isaiah 26:3).
- God’s ways are higher, so He is able to bring us through our greatest trials in ways we can't imagine (Isaiah 55:8-11).
Trials are the testing grounds of our faith. We can prepare for our next "test" by feeding our faith daily. How do we do that? By reading our Bibles, by meditating on God's Word, and by spending time with God in prayer.
Like Daniel, let faith be your first response to life's trials instead of a last resort.