Babylon is Watching

Daniel determined that he would not defile himself with the king's food or with the wine he drank.

The Old Testament story is well-told in children's Sunday School classes. We read how King Nebuchadnezzar laid siege to Jerusalem. The king put the word out to look for the best looking young men and bring them back to Babylon. These near-perfect men would train for 3 years in preparation to serve in the kings court.

Daniel and 2 of his friends were in the group of young men taken to Babylon.

We quickly learn that, although he knew he couldn't change his address, Daniel made the decision to be faithful to God. Daniel was bold enough to ask the chief official for permission to stay away from the kings unhealthy food. After some back and forth, the official agreed to a 10 day testing.  

These boys were in a foreign land that worshipped foreign gods. They did not have their parents or family members nearby for support. All they brought with them was the truths God had planted deep in their hearts.

Imagine, if you can, the fear that must have gripped them in this cold and pagan world.

The Bible says God granted Daniel favor and compassion in the eyes of the official. This is the only way Daniel and his friends were awarded 10 days of clean eating.

At the end of 10 days the official clearly saw Daniel and his friends were healthier and looked better than the others. He continued to give them the vegetables they requested.

As believers, you and I step into Babylon every time we walk out the door or turn the television on. Goodness, we carry Babylon with us everywhere we take our cell phones.

Each time we find ourselves in Babylon, we have a choice to make. We can be determined to be faithful to God or we can look like we belong in Babylon. This is real-life stuff. We can laugh at the same jokes, stab our co-workers in the back, watch the same movies, hang out in the same bar on Friday nights, and use the same language- that would be Babylon.

Or

We can allow what we learn from our own private Bible study time as well as what we learn when we get together on Sundays to change us and make us Christ-like. We can ask God to plant His words deep in our hearts. We can remain undefiled in Babylon.

You know, they didn't sneak over for a taste of the kings rich food even one time. They were too determined to be faithful.

Daniel and his friends remained true to God and the result was obvious to onlookers.

Babylon is watching.

Could it be, as we are faithful, someone in Babylon might decide they are tired of living a sick, tired life?

Babylon is watching.

Watching with curious eyes when we face life's challenges.

Babylon is watching.

Watching when our hearts break, expecting us to turn from our faithful God and enter into Babylon.

Not every battle we fight is for our own good and growth. Some battles are for the people of Babylon.

Babylon is watching.

You know, at the end of the training years, he interviewed all of the men for his court. The king found no one equal to Daniel and his friends. In fact, the king found them to be 10 times better than any other servant in his kingdom.

The rest of the story is full of amazing ways God used these young men to be salt and light in Babylon.

God hasn't changed.

Taste and see that the Lord is good. How happy is the one who takes refuge in Him. Psalm 34:8