Leading The Way - Devotional for March 4
March 4, 2026
Thriving in the City of Man
By Michael A. Youssef, Ph.D.
Read Daniel 1:1-16.
Speaking Truth is one of the duties of a believing people who serve God above Caesar. We must stand up when the governor or the president compels the people to violate God’s Word or when our elected officials go beyond their constitutional limits. At the same time, we must pray for our leaders, above all that they would trust in the Lord Jesus Christ for their salvation.
So, what does it look like for a follower of the Lord to live this way in the City of Man? Thankfully, the Bible provides us with examples of people who not only survived but thrived in hostile environments. Take Daniel and his three friends Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (see Daniel 1:7). As tests came their way, they did what was right in the eyes of the Lord.
Sometimes, it was over a seemingly small matter, like what the king was serving for dinner (see Daniel 1:1-16). Other times, their lives were on the line, like when Daniel was thrown into a lions’ den for refusing to abandon prayer to the true God—or when Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego were thrown into a fiery furnace for refusing to bow to a golden idol (see Daniel 6:1-28 and 3:1-30, respectively). Each time, these men chose to live as citizens of the City of God rather than compromise their witness. Indeed, they trusted God with the outcome: “[T]he God we serve is able to deliver us . . . But even if he does not, we want you to know, . . . we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up” (Daniel 3:17-18).
Like Daniel and his friends, we must lift high the name of God and the cross of Christ, never raising our prophetic voice out of self-righteousness as though we were better than others. Rather, because we know we are sinners saved by grace, we humbly call others to know the only Truth that can set them free. As Christ’s ambassadors in the City of Man, we boldly proclaim the Gospel, even when others revile us and marginalize us, because God is worthy and our home is heaven.
Prayer: God, grant me courage to lift up the cross of Christ as I walk through this world. May I share the wonder of Your love with joy and boldness. I pray in the name of Jesus. Amen.
“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” (Daniel 1:8).
Learn more in Dr. Michael A. Youssef’s sermon series Unholy Alliance of the Antichrist: WATCH NOW | LISTEN NOW
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Watch Dr. Michael Youssef on this week's broadcast of Leading The Way at LightSource.com.
