July 2026 Devotional

By Captain Danielle Bratton

Note: This can be used as a single devotional or a guided devotional in a group setting.

[Pray to open]

[Share your own story of a trial]

Every woman faces key moments in their lives.  Those trials, those tribulations they press in on our reality effecting our peace, purpose, our very person (our identity in Christ).  I am sure you can think of a few. In Daniel 3 we meet Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego, three exiles in a foreign land, who are expected to conform to the standards within their new life. 

There were expectations placed upon them in in their new life and new setting and yet, they did not bow to the societal pressures placed on them, by the decrees of the king.  They stood strong by who they were in Him.  In one of those trials that you thought of, did you have to stand up for yourself or someone else? It can take an emotional and physical toll to stand up against something we see as wrong. I know that in the exiles case they are not only having to hold firm but be brave for those around them God provided a way for them to be taken care of in spite of all that was happening to them.

After a trial you can think of did you feel relieved, broken, unable to move on or joyous, relaxed, thankful and ready for whatever may come. How often do we forget to thank God for providing in those spaces. The spaces that let us reflect on all that we have been though and who we have become in Him, and to help those around us.  

When they are confronted finally for not bowing to the statue or the image of King Nebuchadnezzar they stand firm in who they are in Christ and who He is to them. In chapter 3, verse 17 they simply say, “If we are thrown into the blazing furnace, the God we serve is able to deliver us from it, and he will deliver us from Your Majesty’s hand.”  This is brave, to know you are about to be literally thrown into a blazing fire. Yet have utter and complete faith that God will make a way for you.

And in verse 18 they follow it up and as if recognizing they have no right to represent His will in this circumstance, that God had not unveiled His will to them.  So they go one step further one we rarely hold to, They say they are willing to accept the consequences rather than compromise in verse 18 they say “But even if he does not, we want you to know, Your Majesty, that we will not serve your gods or worship the image of gold you have set up.”  Imagine if we had that level of faith and trust in His will and Plan. It’s that faith, that trust, that commitment to Christ, that we are all called to exemplify.  Imagine for a moment, that these men, had nothing to their name, they were getting offered gold and food to fill their stomachs, they are in pain and need rest. All they had to do was bow to a human kings image to get fully taken care of. Their flesh did not win; they were all in, they held out, because they understood what it meant to be tested by fire.

That should be the hallmark of our Christian Walk. Because it is in that the kind of deep trust that John Wesley described as “the fruit of perfect love.” These men were not guaranteed deliverance from the fire—but they were certain of God’s presence in it, and for that they were willing to go to their fate.

And thrown they were into the fire, and yet they were not alone.  Far too often we look for escape instead of recognizing the gift God has presented us. It is endurance and in His divine presence that we can be thankful for the trials.  Have you ever looked at a situation and only saw problems instead of looking at it and seeing an opportunity to have more faith? That the solution could be as simple as handing it all over to God. He knows that is hard, but he is not asking you to go at it alone.

And it is in this posture; we find that God’s protection is not always from the fire—but sometimes in it. Within His divine reason and providence, He may allow the trial, yet He always provides a way of grace, a presence, and a purpose. Sometimes it takes a willing and open heart to see it, or a knee in prayer to hear it.

In Hebrews 11:33b-34a it says “Who through faith conquered kingdoms, administered justice, and gained what was promised; who shut the mouths of lions, quenched the fury of the flames, and escaped the edge of the sword; whose weakness was turned to strength;”

What “fire” are you facing right now? Is it pressure to conform, fear of rejection, a health crisis, or a spiritual battle? Do you trust God only if He delivers a miracle—or do you also trust Him if He does not? What about the day to day, the small things that God continues to give us, don’t take his grace for granted. Do you have faith that will turn weakness into strength?

Ask the Spirit to give you “but if not” faith, when you do, you will start seeing faith filled possibilities instead of problems.

[Pray]

Music Suggestions:

 “That’s Who I Praise” – Brandon Lake

“Every Giant Will Fall” – Rend Collective

“Stand In Faith” – Danny Gokey