Key Verses and Themes in Daniel

Verse

Theme

Daniel 1:11-14 Then Daniel asked the guard whom the palace master had appointed over Daniel, Hananiah, Mishael, and Azariah: Please test your servants for ten days. Let us be given vegetables to eat and water to drink. You can then compare our appearance with the appearance of the young men who eat the royal rations, and deal with your servants according to what you observe. So he agreed to this proposal and tested them for ten days.

Humility is the key to good relationships with God and people

Daniel 1:8 But Daniel resolved that he would not defile himself with the royal rations of food and wine; so he asked the palace master to allow him not to defile himself.

We need to resist assimilation to culture that violates God’s ways

Daniel 1:9 Now God allowed Daniel to receive favor and compassion from the palace master.

Following God leads to a mix of suffering and rewards in life

Daniel 1:20 In every matter of wisdom and understanding concerning which the king inquired of them, he found them ten times better than all the magicians and enchanters in his whole kingdom.

God gives us abilities to work with excellence, even in corrupt workplaces

Daniel 2:24 Therefore Daniel went to Arioch, whom the king had appointed to destroy the wise men of Babylon, and said to him, “Do not destroy the wise men of Babylon; bring me in before the king, and I will give the king the interpretation.”

We are called to embrace work beyond what we can accomplish by our own power

Daniel 2:27 Daniel answered the king, “No wise men, enchanters, magicians, or diviners can show to the king the mystery that the king is asking.”

Humility is the key to good relationships with God and people

Daniel 2:47 The king said to Daniel, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.”

Our witness can make a difference in our workplaces

Daniel 2:48 Then the king promoted Daniel, gave him many great gifts, and made him ruler over the whole province of Babylon and chief prefect over all the wise men of Babylon.

Following God leads to a mix of suffering and rewards in life

Daniel 3:16-18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego answered the king, “O Nebuchadnezzar, we have no need to present a defense to you in this matter. If our God whom we serve is able to deliver us from the furnace of blazing fire and out of your hand, O king, let him deliver us. But if not, be it known to you, O king, that we will not serve your gods and we will not worship the golden statue that you have set up.”

We need to be prepared to face suffering in the workplace

Daniel 4:27 "Therefore, O king, may my counsel be acceptable to you: atone for your sins with righteousness, and your iniquities with mercy to the oppressed, so that your prosperity may be prolonged.”

We need to take a (humble) stand for what is right in the workplace

Daniel 4:33 Immediately the sentence was fulfilled against Nebuchadnezzar. He was driven away from human society, ate grass like oxen, and his body was bathed with the dew of heaven, until his hair grew as long as eagles’ feathers and his nails became like birds’ claws.

God will bring the rules and kingdoms of the earth to an end

Daniel 5:14 I have heard of you that a spirit of the gods is in you, and that enlightenment, understanding, and excellent wisdom are found in you.

God gives us abilities to work with excellence, even in corrupt workplaces

Daniel 5:17 Then Daniel answered in the presence of the king, “Let your gifts be for yourself, or give your rewards to someone else! Nevertheless I will read the writing to the king and let him know the interpretation.”

A modest life style enables us to resist assimilation to corruption

Daniel 6:3 Soon Daniel distinguished himself above all the other presidents and satraps because an excellent spirit was in him, and the king planned to appoint him over the whole kingdom.

God gives us abilities to work with excellence, even in corrupt workplaces

Daniel 6:4 So the presidents and the satraps tried to find grounds for complaint against Daniel in connection with the kingdom. But they could find no grounds for complaint or any corruption, because he was faithful, and no negligence or corruption could be found in him.

A modest life style enables us to resist assimilation to corruption

Daniel 6:10 Although Daniel knew that the document had been signed, he continued to go to his house, which had windows in its upper room open toward Jerusalem, and to get down on his knees three times a day to pray to his God and praise him, just as he had done previously.

Prayer is an essential practice for working faithfully

Daniel 6:16 Then the king gave the command, and Daniel was brought and thrown into the den of lions.

Following God leads to a mix of suffering and rewards in life

Daniel 6:25-28 Then King Darius wrote to all peoples and nations of every language throughout the whole world: “May you have abundant prosperity! I make a decree, that in all my royal dominion people should tremble and fear before the God of Daniel: For he is the living God, enduring forever. His kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion has no end. He delivers and rescues, he works signs and wonders in heaven and on earth; for he has saved Daniel from the power of the lions." So this Daniel prospered during the reign of Darius and the reign of Cyrus the Persian.

Our witness can make a difference in our workplaces

Daniel 7:21 As I looked, this horn made war with the holy ones and was prevailing over them.

We need to be prepared to face suffering in the workplace

Daniel 9:3-4 Then I turned to the Lord God, to seek an answer by prayer and supplication with fasting and sackcloth and ashes. I prayed to the LORD my God and made confession…

Prayer is an essential practice for working faithfully

Daniel 12:1 At that time Michael, the great prince, the protector of your people, shall arise. There shall be a time of anguish, such as has never occurred since nations first came into existence. But at that time your people shall be delivered, everyone who is found written in the book.

God calls us to persevere where we are until he brings his kingdom to fulfillment

Daniel 12:12-13 Happy are those who persevere and attain the thousand three hundred thirty-five days. But you, go your way, and rest; you shall rise for your reward at the end of the days.

God calls us to persevere where we are until he brings his kingdom to fulfillment