Today we sit down in the dining hall with Daniel and his companions to follow along with their first experience in the training school of Babylon.
The feast set before them, fit for a king, was a problem. The food was unclean according to the standards of Leviticus. It had been offered in sacrifice to the gods of Babylon. And it represented an acceptance of the King’s terms – you belong to me now.
In that moment of decision, young Daniel resolved in his heart not to defile himself. He was unwilling to trade his closeness to God for the pleasures and social pressures of Babylon.
Like Daniel, we swim in waters that are often moving against righteousness. In those waters, faithfulness demands resolution.
Daniel responded with conviction.
He responded with wisdom and tact. (Because how we do is just as important as what we do with our conviction.)
And he relied on the grace of God.
Unclean foods, demands for total allegiance to an ungodly ruler, coursework in Babylonian creation stories, the reading of omens, necromancy, enchantments, …To be faithful and fruitful in an environment like this is impossible apart from the preserving grace of God.
For the author of the book it was not Daniel, but Daniel’s God who was the main character.
“The Lord gave Jehoiakim into his hand . . .” (v 2)
“God gave Daniel favor . . .” (v 9)
“God gave them learning . . .” (v 17)
This is good news for anyone who wants to remain faithful to God in an ungodly environment!
Tom Brown is the planting pastor of Vintage Faith Church in Wichita. Tom and his wife, Mandy, have worked together in ministry for over 20 years and have four children. More about Pastor Tom Brown