Faithful in the Night: Humble Sovereignty & Distinctive Living (Daniel 1)

Episode 1 | Daniel 1 | Toby Dedden | 13/09/26 Toby introduces a nine-week series, “Faithful in the Night,” on the Book of Daniel, connecting it to the yearly theme of belonging to the day . He outlines Daniel’s structure: chapters 1–6 narrative and 7–12 apocalyptic, with chapter 1 as introduction and chapter 7 as a bridge. Using the “behind the curtain” idea (illustrated by Maggie O’Farrell’s Hamnet), he frames Daniel as revealing not only human faith in exile but God’s faithfulness and sovereignty, highlighted by the repeated phrase “God gave” (1:2, 9, 17). Toby explains Babylon historically and as an archetype of the city of man, then shows Babylon’s assimilation tactics (education, food, renaming) and Daniel’s resolve not to defile himself, preserving identity and allegiance to God. He concludes that faithfulness means recognising two kingdoms, trusting God’s power, and choosing to live as God’s people in exile until the promised restoration.