What Gets Your Attention?

O. T. #1987  "What Gets Your Attention?"

July 22, 2021

Daniel 5

LET IT GLOW

What gets your attention? What has God used lately to turn your eyes and heart to Him? Lately, for me it has been the death of our preacher friend, our children, my medications not being covered by our new insurance. I come to realize once again, God is in control, life is short, and nothing is impossible with Him as I pray. God got the attention of a king in today's lesson. Read on to learn what unusual method He used.

Let's take a break and look at the kings who ruled Babylon before the Medes and Persians took over:

• Nebuchadnezzar, 604-562 BC
• Neb's son, Evil-Merodach, reigned 2 years
• Neb's brother in law, Neriglissar, killed Merodach, and ruled 4 years
• Labashi-Marduk, reigned 2 months
• Nabonidus, reigned 556-539 BC (married Neb's daughter and was father of Belshazzar)
• Belshazzar, was the crown prince of the city of Babylon, was killed when Persia captured it in 539 BC)

Belshazzar was second in charge of such the mighty kingdom of Babylon, a prince, while his father was Nabonidus was king. Belshazzar stayed at home

Keep in mind that Daniel was getting on in years by this time. Some say he lived to be 85 and most of his life in a foreign nation of Babylon. (70 years)

How hard would that be? Knowing your nation (Israel), city (Jerusalem), and the Temple (Solomon built) were destroyed. Yet, God kept Daniel alive and used him to interpret dreams of Neb and the handwriting on the wall.

The Lord brings the counsel of the nations to nothing; He makes the plans of the peoples of no effect. The counsel of the Lord stands forever, the plans of His heart to all generations. (Psalm 33:10-11)

Do we see how God has a purpose for our life, also? The will of God is going to be done, no matter what. Our job is to trust Him.

LET IT GROW

We pick up the story at a great feast party. Belshazzar had a great banquet, displaying their wealth and splendor. The Babylonian had taken the sacred vessels from Solomon's Temple that were used in worshiping God. Bel used those vessels of gold, silver, and bronze to drink wine from like they were common drinking cups. They were praising the false gods of Babylon during this event. We notice this powerful man's indifference and irreverence for Almighty God. When people defy the will of God and blaspheme His name, He allows it only so long and then the hand of the Lord begins to move.

Without warning, the fingers of a human hand appeared writing a message on a wall of the banquet. What amazement and fear came. The message was a miracle from the God of Israel that the idols of Babylon could never accomplish.

Where else had God used this technique? In Israel's history, this finger of God:

• defeated the Egyptians when Pharaoh refused to let His people go free; (Exodus 8:19) 
• wrote the holy law for Israel on stones; (Ex. 31:18)
• cast out demons with Jesus in Luke 11:20.

The finger of God was writing a warning to the leaders of Babylon because He would soon execute judgment upon them. Here was a king of a city that could not control this moving finger. Maybe he could at least understand what the message meant. His wise men were commanded to come explain the message. He offered honors and royal gifts to the one who explained the message.

God definitely got the attention of this ruler. How does God get your attention? Loosing a job, family, finances? 

LET IT GO

Open our eyes Lord Jesus, so we see Your working.

Touch our heart today.

Lead us on Your path for our life.

Jesus, only You are King of kings and Lord of lords.

We seek You will for Your glory.