Good evening, brethren. 1. Evening devotion for today. i. *DAILY WALK WITH CHRIST* (COCIN DEVOTIONAL) *DATE:* THURSDAY 26TH MARCH, 2026 *SUB-THEME:* THE GRACE OF GOD IN DIFFICULT TIMES. *TOPIC:* EXILE *TEXTS:* DANIEL 1:1-7; 6:5-10 *DANIEL 1:1-7* 1. In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. 2. And the Lord delivered Jehoiakim king of Judah into his hand, along with some of the articles from the temple of God. These he carried off to the temple of his god in Babylonia and put in the treasure house of his god. 3. Then the king ordered Ashpenaz, chief of his court officials, to bring into the king’s service some of the Israelites from the royal family and the nobility— 4. young men without any physical defect, handsome, showing aptitude for every kind of learning, well informed, quick to understand, and qualified to serve in the king’s palace. He was to teach them the language and literature of the Babylonians. 5. The king assigned them a daily amount of food and wine from the king’s table. They were to be trained for three years, and after that they were to enter the king’s service. 6. Among those who were chosen were some from Judah: Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael and Azariah. 7. The chief official gave them new names: to Daniel, the name Belteshazzar; to Hananiah, Shadrach; to Mishael, Meshach; and to Azariah, Abednego. *DANIEL 6:5-10* 5. Finally these men said, “We will never find any basis for charges against this man Daniel unless it has something to do with the law of his God.” 6. So these administrators and satraps went as a group to the king and said: “May King Darius live forever! 7. The royal administrators, prefects, satraps, advisers and governors have all agreed that 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. 8. Now, your majesty, issue the decree and put it in writing so that it cannot be altered—in accordance with the law of the Medes and Persians, which cannot be repealed.” 9. So King Darius put the decree in writing. 10. Now when Daniel learned that the decree had been published, he went home to his upstairs room where the windows opened toward Jerusalem. Three times a day he got down on his knees and prayed, giving thanks to his God, just as he had done before. *TOPIC:* EXILE *THE MESSAGE:* Exile is being banished or forced out from one's home or country. Daniel faced the challenges of exile and captivity in Babylon, separated from his homeland and people. He encountered the pressure to conform to Babylonian culture and worship. Such would have required him to balance his faith with his responsibilities in the royal court. But he refused to conform. He was faithful in adversity. This demonstrates that God's grace can empower believers to stand firm in their convictions. God's grace is powerful and assures us of His presence, protection, and guidance. Trust in His plan and embrace His wisdom as you navigate life and overcome homesickness. Like Daniel, let your exile become a means of propagating the message of salvation. *REFLECTION:* Remain faithful to God even in exile. *PRAYER:* I need Your grace to stand faithful even in exile, oh Lord. Amen. *MEMORY VERSE FOR THE MONTH:* ROMANS 8:28. And we know that in all things, God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose *TODAY'S BIBLE READING PLAN:* 2 SAMUEL 5-7. ii. DAILY REPENTANCE "He went into all the country around the Jordan, preaching a baptism of repentance for the forgiveness of sins." - Luke 3:3 Many people have been longing for a while for a spiritual breakthrough in their lives. This is an important desire. I also desire a spiritual breakthrough in our church, in our city, in the Netherlands and throughout the world. If we have this desire, we are like John the Baptist; we are preparing the way for the Lord Jesus to come into our midst with great power and to take our lives under His lordship. Prepare the way John prepared the way for the first coming of Jesus Christ. Today God needs such pioneers for a spiritual breakthrough. The path to this is called conversion. Conversion means to turn around, to change your mindset. When you repent, you turn your back on sin and focus on Jesus. The human nature is selfish. Our own self wants to be honored, lifted high and satisfied at all costs. However, the Holy Spirit wants to reveal love and truth in us. When you convert to Christ, you will be different. Jesus Christ initiates a cleansing and healing process within you. Your attitude towards God and people will change. Your proud attitude will begin to disappear by the power of the Holy Spirit. Daily Repentance is needed daily. Every day I dedicate myself to Jesus. Every day my old self has to die more if I want to have a breakthrough in my spiritual life. The Christians must repent, the Church must repent. 1 Peter 4:17 says: 'For it is time for judgment to begin with God's household.' Many think that they can polish their own self or improve it. But God wants to renew us. 'If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come' (2 Corinthians 5:17). https://www.theblessingdevotional.com Evening prayer for today. i. Evening Prayer Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. ⏤ Proverbs 3:5-6 God’s plans are always better than ours, even if they’re hidden in brokenness. ⏤ Corrie Ten Boom In the quiet of the eventide, we come to You, our Father, for Your blessing. We are weary tonight after the day's toils and cares and come to You for rest. You have promised rest to those who come to You. Things have not all gone today as we had hoped they would. We intended to be very good and faithful—but while the spirit was willing, the flesh was weak—and we failed many times. Father, forgive us for these failures, and save us from repeating them. Many of our expectations were not realized. We had our disappointments. Some of our plans failed. We leave these broken things with You. It was Your will that they should be broken because they were not Your plans. Our ways were not Your ways—but Your ways are wiser and better than ours. So we leave all with You, praying that Your plan for us may go on in all our broken plans, and that all things may indeed work together for our good. We pray again for this dear home of ours—we must always pray for it. It needs Your grace afresh every day, that it may be kept heaven-like in this world of sin. Purify all our home affections. May all things serve to bring us nearer together and to bind us closer to each other. May our common toils and cares and sorrows—become new bands of love to hold us heart to heart in mutual love. May we never fail in patience, nor in unselfishness, nor in thoughtfulness. Give us the spirit of self-effacement, if we are called to make personal sacrifices in order that our home may be blessed. Pour into our hearts the spirit of love and grace, that we may be mutually helpful, and then our home shall be happy. We ask in the name of Jesus. Amen. https://www.youdevotion.com/daily-prayer/miller/81/evening #taptapstudio #youdevotion.