Faithfulness In A Foreign Land | A HOPE TO COME SERIES | 5.11.25

Follow Along with the Message

Amid a decadent and seductive culture, Daniel “resolved not to defile himself.” (1:8). He lived in Babylon, but Babylon never lived in him. He resolved to stay faithful, uncompromised, courageous, and firm in YHWH. He didn’t become the culture; he knew who and whose he was and he drew a line. 

1. Honestly assess: whose are you, and to whom do you belong – culture, or God? Rather than being an either/or, consider it a spectrum. Where are you on the spectrum – and how can you choose to move more toward a heart fully surrendered to God just for today?

2. Phil led us through a public prayer: Father, we belong to you. We will not be shaped by this world – we will be transformed by your truth. Like Daniel, we choose conviction over compromise. We will not be seduced by culture or driven by fear. We are not here to please man; we are here to please you. Fill us with courage. Strengthen our resolve. Mark us with your presence. Use us to live lives of impact – for your kingdom and your glory. We live in this world, but this world will not live in us. We are yours – now and forever. In Jesus’s name. Amen. Consider placing this prayer somewhere prominent and committing to pray it throughout our study of Daniel.

Daniel experienced many hardships. He was probably made a eunuch, ripped from his home, and watched as Judah was destroyed. Yet he wrote, “AND THE LORD delivered Jehoiakim King of Judah into his hand…” (1:2). He believed God was orchestrating and in control behind all events. Phil said this: “if we don’t get to this place of seeing the purpose behind the pain, we will be stuck. There must be a relinquishing of our life and plan to God, to trust that he’s good. You can’t have clear discernment if you don’t start with relinquishing.”

3. How big is God to you? 
4. How open are your hands? What are you actively and daily relinquishing to him?

Daniel and his friends were put through the “Babylonianization (!) School of Reformation: isolation, a new culture, a new luxury, and a new identity - meant to conform them to serving Babylon and putting it first in their hearts. Yet they kept YHWH as their center and focus. They kept their eyes on a future hope, and their examples ultimately point to Christ Jesus, who perfectly modeled the same.

5. Lord, where are you calling me to courageous conviction?
6. Where do I need your creative wisdom to face what’s before me?
7. Where are you inviting me to lead with humility and respect – even when it is hard?

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