“But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the king’s food, or with the wine that he drank. Therefore he asked the chief of the eunuchs to allow him not to defile himself. And God gave Daniel favor and compassion in the sight of the chief of the eunuchs and the chief of the eunuchs said to Daniel, ‘I fear my lord the king, who assigned your food and drink; for why should he see that you were in worse condition than the youths who are of your own age. So you would endanger my head with the king.’ Then Daniel said to the steward whom the chief of the eunuchs had assigned over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah, ‘Test your servants for ten days; let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink……’ At the end of ten days it was seen that they were better in appearance and fatter in flesh than all the youths who ate the kings food” (Daniel 1:8-15, ESV).

Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, besieged Jerusalem in 605 BC and among the Jewish nobility and royal family deported to Babylon were Daniel and his three friends. They were to be trained in the Babylonian language and literature and assimilated into Babylonian culture. (vs. 1-4).

To protect themselves from being entangled in the temptations of the idolatrous Babylonian culture, Daniel and his friends used their distinctive kosher diet as a way of avoiding complete assimilation and retaining their distinctive identity as Jewish exiles in Babylon. This restrictive diet continually reminded them that they were the chosen people of God in a foreign land.

So, Daniel asked the chief of the eunuchs, who was in charge of training the youths, if they could only eat vegetables and drink water. The chief of the eunuchs was hesitant at first, believing that such a diet would diminish their health, but agreed to try it for ten days.

At the end of the ten days they were noticeably in better health than all the other youths who ate the king’s food!

Not only were they healthier, but God blessed them with learning and skill in all literature and wisdom and Daniel had understanding of dreams and visions (vs. 17).

At the end of their training they were presented to the king and when he tested their knowledge he found them ten times better than all of his pagan advisors–the royal magicians and enchanters!

Aren’t Christians in a similar situation as Daniel and his friends–the people of God living in a foreign land? This world is like a foreign land to God’s people. And it’s trying to assimilate you into its culture–its way of thinking, into its way of doing things.

Although Daniel and his friends didn’t let Babylon assimilate them, neither did God have them repatriated to Judah because of their faithfulness. God needed them in Babylon to work His plans and purposes. And, they found a way to live in Babylon without letting Babylon live in them. They remained faithful to God by doing God’s will–in Babylon.

Daniel and his friends demonstrated over the next several chapters of the book that when you have determined to serve the Lord wholeheartedly no matter the circumstances it is possible to live a faithful life in exile surrounded by worldly influences .

On the eve of his crucifixion, Jesus prayed to the Father for His disciples (and for His disciples today): “I have given them your word, and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. I do not ask that you take them out of the world, but that you keep them from the evil one. They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth. As you sent me into the world, so I have sent them into the world” (John 17:14-18, ESV).

Jesus prayed for His disciples not to be taken out of the world but to be sent into it. And, the Father will sanctify them in His truth. Just as Jesus was not of this world but sent into it, so are Christians not of the world, but sent into it.

Daniel and his friends were sent into Babylon but not corrupted by it. We should not be so afraid of being corrupted by the world because Jesus prayed for us to be protected from the evil one and we are sanctified by God’s truth.

God’s plan for you is to be faithful to Him and do His will in the world and the circumstances in which you live. Just as Jesus was sent into the world for your sake, your salvation is for the sake of other people in the world in which you live!

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect. (Romans 12:2, ESV)