when people think about the book of Daniel usually think about one of two things either the story often heard from Sunday school days of a den of lions or else the second part of the book and prophecies of later times prophecies that fascinate some people and which others find impossible to deal with. Is it a book in two parts? What is the connection between these things? The explanation is found, as it so often is, in the introduction, which we read a few moments ago. In chapter one, we find this man Daniel. We find him having to make a choice It's a choice which some would identify with. At this point he is probably still in his teens. He has to choose who he is going to be. Choose your identity. Either he is going to remain one of God's covenant people, Or else, he will become a Babylonian, with all that that culture involved, the very change of name that he was given is associated with one of the gods of Babylon. Which is it to be? And in making that choice, in having to make that choice, he was facing the same thing that people have had to face in every age, in every generation. to be one of God's covenant people, or to be part still of fallen humanity. Which is it to be? We know the choice that Daniel made, we can see it here in chapter 1. When he chose to identify with God's people, it was a choice that had a profound effect on himself, on his self-image, on his interests, it shouldn't surprise us that as time went on, his interest in the fortunes of God's people would be rewarded. God himself gave him information about the future. The people he was so concerned for, his own people, the Lord showed him things that were to take place in their future history. We shouldn't be surprised at that. As we think about Daniel and this introduction to his life, the first thing that comes to mind is that humanity is indeed in two groups. Daniel had to choose between them, as we also do. If we're going to understand the choice that he had to make, we have to consider the situation he found himself in. not among his own people, not in Jerusalem where he had grown up or thereabouts, but in a foreign land and with a very strange religious outlook. What exactly is the choice? That's the third thing we have to look at. What are the options he has open to them? Because that speaks to us about the options that are open to ourselves too. There's more. We get practical help here. Daniel's experience, Daniel's biography, also shows us how to put that choice into practice. How many of us say, yes, this is what I want to be, but how do I become that? This is what I want to do, but how do I do that? This is a practical matter. How to be a disciple of Jesus? What are the nuts and bolts of this? Well, Daniel will show us. Let's begin with this thought. We see throughout scripture that humanity can be classified as one of two groups. The godly or ungodly, that is those who live by faith in God, those who are in covenant with Him, or those who continue to reject Him. Now it's a broad brush approach and there are many differences within both groups, but that difference is visible in humanity. It's a difference that occurred very early in human history. as early as the days of Cain and Abel. And Jesus' apostle John picks up on that in his first epistle. He spoke about Cain killing his brother Abel. Why? Because Abel was righteous and Cain was evil. We see that difference continued the days of Noah. We see it again in the days of Abraham, God calling him out of fallen humanity to be the founder of a people who would be God's people. And this difference is a theme of the New Testament. My disciples, my disciples. What's the difference in practice? It's a difference of character. It's a difference of attitude. It's a difference of relationship to God. It's a difference of loyalty to God or rule by self-interest. From the days of Abraham to the days of our Lord Jesus, the people of God were roughly equated with Abraham's descendants. through the tribes of Israel, roughly equated. There were others, we think for example of Melchizedek in the days of Abraham. Yes, there were others at that time. We think too of Gentiles who found the Lord or were found by him. There is Rahab and Moab, two women that we are aware of. We think of the city of Nineveh in the days of Jonah. the overlap wasn't perfect. And indeed within the people of Israel there were many, as the Lord said, whose heart was not right with them. His people in an outward sense, but not in reality. And since the New Testament time that has been very obvious. We cannot equate the people of God with any country. with any society, with any social group, with any church or denomination. Unlike some religions, Christianity is not territorial. It is not denominational. And even within the Church of God, there are those who are outwardly its members, but not inwardly. Outside the church of God there are some who are the Lord's people, unable to join with the rest of them in worship. But they're there. One of the Psalms refers to his hidden ones. There are things there that we do not understand. And those who are the people of God should never look down on others. Who made you to differ? asks the scripture. And the answer is given, by the grace of God, I am what I am, only by his grace. Sadly it is all too easy to despise others, just as it is all too easy for society around us to think that we despise them when we don't. But the difference between the two groups is there. They are two. And the difference is hugely significant. Since the days of Cain and Abel, fallen humanity has hated any reminder of God, any reminder of who God is. Hatred of criticism did not begin yesterday. And the world has tried to suppress the evidence of God. That didn't begin yesterday either. Even if it means persecuting the people of God, as happens in so many lands. Jesus said, we find this in John 15, I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Society tends either to reject the people of God or else to try to mould them into their own image. You are no different, really, they say. Which is often an accusation. And you'll become like us. It's like Satan. When God said to him, have you considered my servant Job? And Satan answered, Job's no better than the rest of them. He's only in it for what he gets out of it. That's the world's attitude. but the world will try to press us into its mould. Doesn't the epistle to the Romans say, do not be conformed to this world, rather be transformed by the renewing of your mind? One translation of the New Testament has famously put it, do not let the world press you into its mould. Well there it is, two groups there are. Daniel experienced that. His people had experienced it for centuries. Let's think now about the situation this young man found himself in. He grew up in wartime. Most of his people had abandoned the ways of God, had broken the covenant of God, and had begun to serve false gods, becoming like the world around them. They were being squeezed into the mould of the world, instead of fulfilling their intended role as a light to the nations. When they did so, God allowed them to feel the consequences of that. The greatest empire of the day, the empire of Babylon, its leader Nebuchadnezzar invaded Judah, laid siege to Jerusalem. The Lord allowed him to take it over. He destroyed it. He destroyed the temple. He took the articles associated with the worship of God And he transported them to the temples of his gods, those non-entities, those vanities, those nothings that the people of Babylon worshipped. An open act of contempt for the God of Judah. It wasn't only the articles for divine worship he transported, he transported the inhabitants as well. All but the poorest of them. And Daniel, as a teenager, found himself force marched hundreds of miles from his homeland to what is today in the south of Iraq, to Babylon. Years of suffering growing up in wartime were followed by suffering of another kind. A stranger in a strange land. An exile. Someone under the thumb of his enemy. And someone expected to work for his enemy. That was Daniel's situation. We noticed this morning when we thought of Jesus and Caiaphas that the global conflict of godliness versus sin takes place in individual lives. It's not just across the globe. It happens in a person, in an individual. It happens in their life. A war isn't just a war. It's a series of battles. And a battle is a series of fights between men. This is a war where people have to choose sides. Daniel had to choose sides. Individual choices also make a difference to the people around us. Daniel's choice certainly did. Who was he? Who was this teenager who was forced to make a choice? Who am I going to be? Am I going to be one of the covenant people of God as I have always been? Or am I going to be a heathen? a servant of Nebuchadnezzar. Who was this? We read near the beginning of chapter 1 that Nebuchadnezzar, the Babylonian leader, ordered that young men from the Judean aristocracy and royal family would be trained up to be rulers in his government. These were the people, by and large, who had provided society's leaders. They will provide leaders for my empire, he thought. To some extent, that was using the resources he had. No doubt, there was another reason. If I make them dependent on me, they will never rebel. they will become loyal to Babylon and they will forget Judah. And so we find here that he puts them on a three year training course in the language and literature of the Chaldeans but he does something more. He provides for them The delicacies at the king's table. His food and drink. That's what they're given. What a pleasant thought. It's a bit like a company sponsoring someone to go to university. They get their training free. No fees to be paid. No loans to be repaid. And more than that, they get paid for it. Oh well. That fare binds us to them, doesn't it? This was of mutual benefit, or so it would seem. Here is a group of adolescents, or people coming out of adolescence. They've been transported from home and family in the middle of war. And here they are in a strange land and their enemy showers them with kindness. Is that not confusing? What do you make of Nebuchadnezzar? How should we relate to him? He's destroyed our home and yet he plies us with all the kindness and the good things of the day. How utterly confusing. Well, that's one way to obtain power over someone, isn't it? And as time went on, and as they enjoyed the good things of Babylon and what the court could provide, surely the bonds would grow. For some, they would be bonds of gratitude. This man is showing kindness to us. He's setting us on our feet. He's giving us a very good career. For some, it would be bonds of self-interest. I know which side my bread is buttered. This is who I'm going to be from now on. You can see what was happening. And also of course it would make them or it could make them feel superior to the rest of their own people. What's happening? They are being given a new identity. They are growing up with a very different self-image from what they had when they lived in Jerusalem. Who then are you going to be? That's the question. What the world has to give and to be one of them. Or to be one of the covenant people of God. And the choice comes in all sorts of ways. I remember, I suppose about 40 years ago, a university tutor giving me advice. on the sort of attitudes and political views and lifestyle that I should have if I wanted to get on. It was very kind of him, in a way. Unfortunately, the advice he was giving would have meant rejecting the gospel, rejecting Christ, breaking his covenant. But the choice was there. It's a choice that so many people have to make in one way or another. This is a battle. It is a battle for Daniel's soul. A choice had to be made. It was one thing or the other and only he could decide. So what exactly is this choice? What are the options? What do we see here? As we read about Daniel's situation, it looks as if there are two options. To become a heathen Babylonian, or else to withdraw into a Jewish ghetto. Integration or isolation. On the surface, that seems to be the choice. When we look at it on a superficial level, self-interest would suggest that Daniel should simply become a Babylonian. He might even have said to himself, why did God not prevent all this happening? Of what use is this covenant when he allowed Nebuchadnezzar to destroy our homes and our temple and our nation? He might well have said that. He didn't, but it would have been very tempting to have thought it. Or withdraw into a Jewish Ghetto. That would have been an easy option also. His conscience would be at ease. I'm not one of them. It would have been a decisive act. no further problems about what should I do. And it would have avoided making the kind of mistake that Simon Peter made when he went into the court where Jesus was being tried. He was too close to the enemies. He wasn't called to be there. He had no protection. For Daniel, he might have said, well, if I want protection, if I want to avoid any possibility of destruction and spiritual loss, I'll just withdraw. I'll withdraw completely. I'll just become part of a little Jewish ghetto. I'll be a nobody in this society, but that way I'll be safe. He might have said that. It would have been very easy, wouldn't it? Integrate or isolate. And of course, similar choices have to be made every day. Some people, some people act like Simon Peter did. They sail as close to the wind as possible. Is this permissible? Is that permissible? How much can I, what can I do that I'm not going to go over the border but maybe push the boundaries? How far can I, that attitude? Others, of course, simply turn their back on God altogether. And still others say, we will withdraw. We'll pull out of human culture. We'll not take anything to do with society around us. We'll live as little as possible. We'll just shut ourselves in and wait until Christ comes. Which of these did Daniel do? The answer is none of them. None of them. Daniel made the most difficult choice of all. First, he did remain faithful to God. He did remain one of God's covenant people. Loyalty and gratitude demanded that. His people were highly privileged. Who is like you? Oh Israel, a people saved by the Lord. He knew that. God is worthy of loyalty. Daniel knew that. more wonderful, wiser, more forgiving and kind than we can ever understand. And those who know Him will do anything for Him because He is worth it. He deserves it. Think of the life of our Lord Jesus. And it was in Daniel's best interest to remain faithful to God. Those who honour me, I will honour. Those who despise me, I will lightly esteem. God does honour those who honour him. Daniel is an outstanding example of that. He could not, he would not give up his identity as one of God's covenant people. But he couldn't withdraw into a ghetto either. God has said, we see this in Jeremiah 29, seek the welfare of the city for I have sent you into exile for in its welfare you will find your welfare. Don't withdraw Do all you can for the good, for the prosperity, for the well-being of that place. That wouldn't have come down well with some folk. But they are our enemies. Yes, says God. But that's where you're going to look for the next 70 years. And you're going to be my witnesses there. You're going to show my integrity. You're going to show my mercy. You're going to show my love there. Do it. Seek its welfare. God has not withdrawn from this world. Jesus said He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust. God has not withdrawn. He sends His people as His witnesses. As my Father sent me, said Jesus, even so I send you. And He gives us all things richly to enjoy. But that does not mean that we are here simply to enjoy the best of God's creation. End of story. No, no. We are here to serve Him. We are here to be His witnesses. By definition, that means being different. If Simon Peter had understood that and acted on it, he would not have denied his master. The problem is, how can we be in the world, but not of the world? That was the problem Daniel faced, and that is the problem that we face. How can a person put that choice into practice? That's a very important question. That was a question that Daniel had to deal with straight away before anything else. How am I going to do this? This is the most difficult thing of all to do. Not becoming one of them, but not withdrawing either. How can I live as a man or woman of God in a godless society? We look at this chapter and we find that Daniel aimed for three things. If we might call it the 3D approach. The first D stands for DILIGENCE. The second for DRAWING THE LINE. And the third for DEVELOPING OUR DEVOTIONAL LIFE. Daniel aimed to be diligent. It's obvious from the story. The Lord gave him wisdom. The Lord supported him. The Lord does that. If, however, we are lazy and so on, we cannot expect his help as a matter of course. No, Daniel was diligent. He must have been. He wouldn't have had such favour from his overseers if he hadn't been diligent. The man worked. The man studied. The man applied himself. The man did all that he could. He was diligent. And indeed, in the same way, Christian people are called to be diligent. our ordinary work. This has nothing to do with the worship of God, the things of God. This has to do with our ordinary work in the world. Part of the Christian's calling is to be diligent. Whatever that work may be, Colossians 3, bond-servant, Obey in all things your masters according to the flesh, not with eye service as men pleasers, but in sincerity of heart, fearing God. And whatever you do, do it heartily, as to the Lord and not to men, knowing that from the Lord you will receive the reward of the inheritance, for you serve the Lord Christ. Who are we really serving? It's not just our immediate boss, is it? Who is in charge of him or of her? It's the Lord Christ. Whether they acknowledge Him or not, that is who we are serving. Has He called us into a certain situation? Is this His will for us in Providence? That's obviously where we ought to be. We're doing what He says and circumstances are leading this way. That's His providence and we're called to serve Him. He it is whom we serve. Whatever it is we're doing. Whether it's driving, building, teaching, nursing, whatever. It's Christ we're serving. Ephesians 6, 5-8 we find the same thing. Simon Peter teaches the same thing. Diligence. Daniel understood that. Doesn't sound spiritual, does it? But it's true, and it's part of God's word. And that's the first way in which we are to solve this problem of how to live a godly life in an ungodly world. Surprising, but it's true. The 3D approach, and it begins with diligence. The next thing is that Daniel drew the line at some things. I will do this, that and the other, but beyond that I will not go. Not for anyone. That wouldn't go down well with his political masters. But he did it. It didn't go down well. He still did it. He wasn't being obstructive, he wasn't like that. That's part of fallen humanity, to be obstructive and difficult and all the rest of it. No, no, he was cooperative, he was courteous, from all that we read here, as a man of God, a woman of God is called to be. But he still drew the line, beyond that point I will not go, not for anyone. And sometimes we have to draw a line and say, I will cooperate, I will do all I can up to this point, but that other thing I will not do. Whatever the consequences, I'm not doing it. Where we draw the line may be a matter of judgement. In a similar situation, one person may draw a line here, and another person may draw a line there. Which is right? How do we know? The answer has to be, ask God for wisdom. Daniel did, and he got it. We cannot always judge where the line should be drawn. And we cannot always say, you're wrong to draw it there. As individuals, we simply must ask for wisdom for ourselves and for others. What happened here? Well, he drew the line, strangely, at food. Why? Well, the answer is not too clear. Had it something to do with idol worship? Was this food that had been offered to idols and Daniel would be construed as taking part in idol worship? If he were to eat it, maybe. We find a similar issue occurring in the New Testament. It's there in Paul's writings to the Corinthians. Food offered to idols. What do you do about that? Well, depends on the situation. Use your judgement. In any case, that's where he drew the line and he did it. He was courteous when he did it, as all of God's people should be. Not unpleasant, not stroppy, and he got away with it. He drew the line. Some people draw the line and they don't get away with it. They lose their lives. Think of that a politician in Pakistan some months ago who campaigned for the abolition of Pakistan's blasphemy law and he was murdered by his own bodyguard as a result. He drew the line, he would cooperate up to a certain point, beyond that he would not go and he was killed because of it. That happens. In Daniel's case, he got away with it. on this occasion. So, how do we live a godly life in an ungodly world? First, be diligent in your work in the world. Second, draw the line when you give good reason to believe that a thing will displease God. And third, he developed his devotional life. His study of God's word, his prayer, He had to. He had to survive. Now we see that he had like-minded friends. But this decision was his own. It was not influenced by them. He was his own man. He made his own decision. The only influence on him was the influence of God himself. Daniel's own fear of God, his own understanding of God's word led him to make this decision. He became a man of prayer and a man of the word. We see that as the book goes on. He was conspicuous for these two things. He developed his devotional life. And that fed his soul. That strengthened his sense of identity. That gave him a deeper understanding of God's commitment to him. And it strengthened his commitment to God. It deepened his love for God. It strengthened his faith in God's promises. And it gave him the wisdom that he needed to make difficult decisions, like that one. And God answered his prayer. And answered it again, and again, and in wonderful ways. Diligence, drawing the line and developing our devotional life. If we want to serve Christ in difficult circumstances, that's what we must do too. Not least developing our devotional life, for it is only being close to God that we will get protection, as Simon Peter discovered. Honour Him. honour Him by our diligence to those we work for, honour Him by drawing the line where we believe He would have us do so, and honour Him by putting our trust in Him. Being near to Him will bring us the grace of Christ and we will find that He honours us when we have honoured Him. May God bless His word to us.