Daniel: Life in Babylon, Part 1

I’m speaking to you, the reader. Yes, I’m asking you. This question isn’t for Daniel; it is for you. You live in the United States of America, right? You live in Europe, right? Wherever you live, I’m asking you … Life is difficult in Babylon, isn’t it? 

 

That was then … 

In the third year of the reign of Jehoiakim king of Judah, Nebuchadnezzar king of Babylon came to Jerusalem and besieged it. Daniel 1:1 

God’s chosen people were taken from their Theocratic country and home, captured and transported to the foreign land of Babylon, where God was not honored and sin flourished. 

 

This is now … 

I have seen the country of my birth, the USA, from 1959 to the current time, besieged by the king of Babylon and devolved into a foreign country where God is not honored and sin flourishes. In some ways, it feels like I was kidnapped from the era of “Leave it to Beaver” and deported to the foreign country of Netflix’ ‘Cuties’. I find myself in a country where foreign gods are elevated, sin flourishes, what was once good, is now bad; and what was once bad is now good. 

 

Life is difficult here in Babylon, isn’t it? 

I’ve got an idea. Let’s learn from Daniel how we should live in Babylon. What do you say? 

• Daniel lived to be 85 plus years old, living more than 60 years in Babylon, serving under three pagan kings. Daniel was a survivor in Babylon! 
• Daniel devoted his mind, soul, and will to God’s Word and prayer. God also blessed his mind to comprehend and learn all manners of literature and wisdom. Daniel was a life-long learner and devoted follower of God in Babylon! 
• Daniel absorbed his studies and applied godly wisdom in all his decisions as he navigated the treacherous environment of political deceit and moral decay. Daniel was a wise decision-maker in Babylon! 
• The moral leadership of Daniel enabled him to be recognized as righteous before the Babylonian kings, meriting one promotion after another, and influencing pagan kings to openly acknowledge the true God of Israel. Daniel was influential in Babylon! 

 

I need to learn from Daniel. What about you? Unfortunately, I don’t view Babylon as an opportunity to exalt God as Daniel did.  

• I often curse Babylon and its political leaders. I sulk because I live in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation. Perhaps I need to learn that I can’t love the people of Babylon at the same time that I curse it. Do I really love the people of Babylon that God places in my path daily? 
• I have a love-hate relationship with Babylon. I hate the decline of morality and its hatred for my true God. But, nevertheless, I find that I love the pleasures of Babylon too much. Do I live in this world or of this world? 
• The approval of Babylon sometimes gets the best of me. I compromise my actions before others so that I’m not (verbally) thrown in the fiery furnace or the lion’s den. I fear the pain and ridicule of others. 

 

Can you relate to any of my statements? Yes, there is much we can learn from Daniel. More next time.

If we find ourselves with a desire that nothing in this world can satisfy, the most probable explanation is that we were made for another world. C.S. Lewis 

 

Father, this world is clearly not our home. But for now, we are ambassadors in this foreign land. Our words and our lives are to shine forth the gospel of truth and grace. Some will accept and some will reject. The results are in your hands! Our calling is to be faithful; we are to love, to be kind, to do justice and walk close to you as we uphold the uncompromising truth of your Word. Lord, we may be in Babylon, but we will never forget that You are always with us. We love You because You first loved us. Amen!