June 19, 2025

GOD ALWAYS HAS THE FINAL WORD

TODAY’S SCRIPTURE

He will flatter and win over those who have violated the covenant. But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him. Wise leaders will give instruction to many, but these teachers will die by fire and sword, or they will be jailed and robbed. During these persecutions, little help will arrive, and many who join them will not be sincere. And some of the wise will fall victim to persecution. In this way, they will be refined and cleansed and made pure until the time of the end, for the appointed time is still to come.

Daniel 11:32-35 NLT

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TODAY’S THOUGHT

Daniel chapter 11 is filled with prophetic insight. It outlines a long, complex history of kings and kingdoms—wars involving Syria, Egypt, Persia, and Greece. But despite this wide scope, the chapter narrows in on one figure: Antiochus IV Epiphanes, a wicked king of Syria. Though his reign was relatively short in human history, he receives significant attention in Daniel’s vision—because he directly persecuted God’s people, Israel.

Antiochus outlawed the worship of Jehovah. He tried to corrupt God’s people through flattery and bribes, rewarding those who compromised their faith. But he also violently punished those who held fast to God’s commands.

Yet during this dark time, Daniel gives us hope:

“But the people who know their God will be strong and will resist him.”

Even when persecution came, those who truly knew their God stood firm. They didn’t cave to pressure. They didn’t compromise truth. They didn’t trade their faith for comfort.

And the same is true today.

Persecution, trials, and pressure don’t mean God is absent. In fact, they are often part of His refining process. Verse 35 reminds us that some of the wise would fall, but through it they would be purified and made clean prepared for what’s to come.

James echoes this in the New Testament:

“Count it all joy when you face trials… because the testing of your faith produces perseverance…” (James 1:2–4)

This passage in Daniel doesn’t just look back. It looks ahead—forward to a time still to come, when a future enemy of God (the Antichrist) will rise and again try to destroy God’s people. But just like before, God will prove He is in control. He always has the final word.

So today, let this be your encouragement:

No matter how dark the culture, how great the pressure, or how painful the trial—if you know your God, you will be strong.

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TODAY’S PRAYER

Holy Spirit, help me to be strong today. Help me to know You more deeply. Strengthen my heart so that I will stand for truth, even when it’s hard. And use me to encourage others to be strong in their faith. Amen.

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