August 3

Today's Reading: Daniel 1:1-21

Daniel and his three friends were taken into exile during Nebuchadnezzar's first conquest of Jerusalem in 605 BC. Daniel's ministry extended all the way through the conquest of Babylon by the Persians in 539 BC.

There is so much we can learn from this first chapter. We see that it is possible to live a godly life even in a culture that is increasingly hostile to Jesus. While we don't have a lot of information on the upbringing of Daniel and his friends, it is obvious that they had developed a heartfelt devotion to God that enabled them to remain godly even in a hostile, foreign place.

We also see here that they lived out their faith with gentleness and respect. I am reminded here of the words of Peter:

1 Peter 3:15–16 (ESV)
15 but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect, 16 having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

We are certainly to stand up for the things of God in our culture. And sometimes that means obeying God rather than men. But when that happens we need to do that with as much gentleness and respect as possible.