Living Faithful in a Faithless Land: A Study of DanielSample

Week 1: God is at Work Even in the Painful Days

Changes in Babylon

Read: Daniel 1:3-7; Isaiah 39:6-7; Romans 12:1-2

SOAP: Romans 12:2

“Do not be conformed to this present world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, so that you may test and approve what is the will of God—what is good and well-pleasing and perfect.”

Into the Text

This week’s readings have shown us that while the exile was difficult for God’s people, He was with them and intended to bless them while in Babylon.

Daniel introduced us to four young men, himself included. They were probably teenagers taken from their families in Judah and brought to Babylon. They had been selected to be part of a three-year Babylonian training program. They would be taught all about the literature, language, culture, and gods of Babylon. The intention was to make them future leaders who were fully integrated into the Babylonian way of life, which the Babylonians assumed was superior.

Everything was changing for these young men – even their names. In the Bible, the meaning of names was often important. Each of these young men’s names had meanings that pointed them to God:

• Daniel – God is my judge.
• Hananiah – The Lord is gracious.
• Mishael – Who is what God is?
• Azariah – The Lord has helped.

Their new names pointed them to the gods of Babylon with meanings like ‘comment of Aku’ and ‘servant of Nego.’ Everything was going to challenge what they had been taught in Judah. How would they choose to live? Could they make a home in Babylon and be faithful to God?

We also live in a culture that seeks to challenge what the Bible teaches. The same question that Daniel and his friends had to wrestle with is the same question for believers today. How can we make our home in this culture and be faithful to God? We need to renew our minds over and over with the Word of God. The better we know God, the more likely we are to trust Him and know that His ways are best, even when we can’t understand what is going on.

Prayer

Heavenly Father, your love towards me is always steadfast. Forgive me for allowing my mind to be filled more with the ways of this world than with your ways. Keep me learning more of who you are from your Word so that I can test and prove your ways to be best. Develop in me a thankful, teachable heart. When difficult days come, help me to trust and rest in you. Amen