What would it take to break you? Would it be hard to change your worldview? What price would you be willing to pay to hold on to your faith? Conquering nations throughout history have wrestled with how to subdue and reshape the minds and hearts of those they conquer. The book of Daniel from the Old Testament tells the story of four young men living in exile. They are captives in the nation of Babylon. They have been taken from their home, the Promised Land. Babylon has a program of indoctrination.

God is positioning Daniel and his friends to accomplish His purposes even while they are in captivity. It seems unusual that God would choose to keep using His people in exile. My way of thinking says, wait until they are back in the Promised Land. It seems to me to be more effective to use them when they have some power. God thinks otherwise. He often uses His people most powerfully when they are most powerless. All God's plans for Daniel hinge on Daniel's ability to resist the forces that would shut him off from God.