The Morning Psalm
Old Testament

The Book of Daniel

Faithful under pressure — courage in exile, and the God who rules over kingdoms.

Overview

Daniel tells of faithful believers holding firm in a foreign land — the fiery furnace, the lions' den — and of visions revealing that God rules over the rise and fall of every empire. Its message to the pressured faithful is steadying: God is sovereign, and he is worth trusting.

Half gripping story, half sweeping prophecy, Daniel calls readers to unwavering integrity and confident hope in the God of heaven.

Key themes

Faithfulness under pressure

Daniel and his friends refuse to compromise, whatever the cost.

God's sovereignty

God rules over kings and kingdoms; history is in his hands.

Confident hope

The visions assure God's people that his kingdom will prevail.

Key verses from Daniel

And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.
Daniel 12:3, KJV
Blessed be the name of God for ever and ever: for wisdom and might are his:
Daniel 2:20, KJV
To the Lord our God belong mercies and forgivenesses, though we have rebelled against him;
Daniel 9:9, KJV

How to read Daniel

  • Read the famous stories as calls to faithful integrity.

  • Let the visions reassure you that God rules over history.

  • Notice Daniel's habit of prayer under pressure.