Daniel 1:1-16

The history of our great country is lined with unmistakable blessings. Any honest historian can see that the US has enjoyed a relationship with God from it's beginning. However, this has also created a false since of what is normal in the minds of so many Christians. Throughout our history, being a Christian in the US was synonymous with being a good person and an upright citizen. It was simply a way of being normal. In the book of Daniel, we read a story of Jewish exiles who were carried away to a foreign land. There, they were pressured to comfortably except the ways of this foreign culture, and settle in to a "new normal". But we see how Daniel and his three friends were unwilling to let god of their relationship with God. As Christian, we can learn so much from Daniel. Our circumstances are dramatically different, however, we are not being exiled to a foreign land. However, we are now seeing our own culture change on us. Similar to Daniel, we are faced with a dilemma. Do we except the terms of the culture that is both foreign and hostile to God? Do we conform our ways and our thoughts to our culture in pursuit of normalcy? Or do we dare, as Daniel did, to stand firm in our relationship with God, seek joy in Him alone, and trust Him no matter the results.

There is so much we can learn from Daniel and his friends. So I want to spend some time stepping into this story.

Exiled (v1-2)

Exiled (verse 1)

After long line of kings of the Southern Kingdom some good - some bad)

Josiah - last “Godly seeking” king

God had already announced judgment on Israel

You will not see my Judgement

Josiah killed - son takes over (3 months)

Within three years we see Judah ruled by Egypt then Babylon (Nebuchadnezzer)

The Favored (verse 3)

Chosen from both

Royal Family

Nobility

Important for context BUT

“How blessed you are to be born in such good terms”

They never had to serve anybody

Yet here that are.

New place - new deal

Here is why that important. These people probably never had to really work a day in their live. Their whole world is changing around them. Normalcy is gone. Then, in the middle of the chaos, they are offered a glimmer of hope, (comparatively speaking).

Life as an exile can go well for you - but there’s a catch

Come live

listen to the description (verse 4)

without blemish

good in appearance

skillful

knowledgeable, teachable

competent to stand in the Kings palace

“WE CAN MAKE THEM LIKE US”

Come live in the King

The indoctrination (verse 5)

Read Daniel 1:5

Eat what the king eats

Learn our ways

Be tested by the King himself

Every step toward a “better life” is a step away from God.

It all seems innocuous

It all seem like a good offer

Some might even say, “God is blessing us in these troubled times.”

Problem:

None of this leads to a relationship with God.

Introduced to the four main characters of this book

Daniel - Balteshazzar

Hannaniah - Shadrach

Mishael - Meshach

Azariah - Abednego

Daniel's Resolve (verse 8)

His Loyalty

English Standard Version Chapter 1

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank.

English Standard Version Chapter 1

But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank.

“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank.”

Dietary laws = relationship with God

Life is largely out of my control

I have to give up many things

One thing I refuse to give up - my relationship with God

His Action

what I love about his response to the situation

When we see people at their best in scripture

I am not willing to exchange my relationship for comfort.

Joseph and Potifer’s wife

David in the cave with Saul

Jeremiah speaking unpopular words of God

His Faith

read -13

The best thing is always to follow God

What can we learn from Daniel?

This story is not about us

But we can learn so much from these faithful men

We are very blessed in this great country.

Any HONEST person will tell you that from the beginning our country was founded on a pursuit of God Honoring principles.

The United States was founded as a Christian Nation

The the history of this country Christians have enjoyed a favored position. (especially in south - Bible Belt)

Being Christian meant:

good morals

respect for authority

generally a good person

Being a Christian meant being normal

Unlike Daniel

We have never been exiled

BUT WE ARE SEEING OUR WORLD CHANGE.

Our world

Here is our dilemma

In this ever changing culture

We are continually seeking normalcy

we can point at Daniel and say:

He handled exile well.

If I were ever exiled I hope I would be so bold.

We are supposed to be living as exiles.

We are foreigners in a land that is not our home.

We are being offered so many opportunities to find normal, but at what cost?

Like Daniel we should be asking, “Where do I draw the line?”

Here is how you know

Where do we get our joy?

Normal, simple, & blessed life

Relationship with God.

I think may of us want God to give us both.

Joy with God vs Joy in God

When you are away from here

When the pressure is gone

Do pray

Do you seek God in His word