How shall we live?

Daniel chapter 1 is an introduction to the series of court tales in chapters 1 to 6. v. 1 and v. 21 set the historical background to these stories in the period between the first invasion of Judah, 605/604 BC, and the decree of Cyrus, 538 BC.
During this exilic period, Daniel must learn how to live as a faithful member of the people of God while serving in the court of a pagan king.

1. A king commands, vv. 3, 5, 7
Notice how Nebuchadnezzar commands and expects obedience. He displays his reign by conquering surrounding nations, including Judah. He orders the assimilation of captive peoples, he renames those taken. This is how kings behave.

2. A young man resolves, v. 8
We could call this verse Daniel's 'but', I think there are significant 'buts' in each of chapters 1 to 6.
Daniel rejects his new name, he refuses the king's food. Not idol food, but the gift of the king to buy allegiance from conquered people. Daniel will live and serve in the king's court, but he will not offer this pagan king total allegiance.
Daniel is learning the dilemma of Ps 137:1-4, how can we sing Yahweh's song in a strange land?

3. God gives, vv. 2, 9, 17
Neither the king nor the young man are in control.
The exile is God's deed, bringing long promised judgement upon a people who reject his word.
God blesses Daniel's 'but'.
God gives a blessing to Daniel's service in the pagan court.

There is only one King, for those with eyes of faith to see him.

The choice before Daniel was to:
1) submit to assimilation, become a good Babylonian giving total allegiance to the king.
2) withdraw into a ghetto or seek execution, either way disobey the Lord's word, see Jer 29.
3) confront the king and his culture with a desire to transform both the king and his culture.
Do Christians not face these same choices today?
How shall we live?