Just Three Words That Changed Everything"

O. T. #1990  "Just Three Words That Changed Everything" 

July 27, 2021

Daniel 5-Part 5

LET IT GLOW

Do we watch our words? In today's lesson just three words changed everything for a king and his kingdom.

Finally, today we get Daniel in the room. Belshazzar had a banquet, where he and guests used the sacred vessels of Jerusalem's Temple to drink wine from them. Also, they were praising their gods of gold, silver, brass, iron, wood, and stone. (What an insult to the Most High God!) That same hour fingers of a man's handwrote on the wall for all to see. This resulted in Bel being troubled and knees knock together in fright.

Well, his grandmother, the queen, told Bel there was a man who could tell the king what those words meant-Daniel. (After his magicians could not do so.) She explained how wise Daniel was, interpreting dreams.

Belshazzar told Daniel, "I have heard of thee," when Daniel was brought into the room. The king offered Daniel gifts and rewards in exchange for the meaning of the handwriting on the wall. Then in verses 18-21, Daniel recounted the experience of humility of Nebuchadnezzar. (He became mentally out of it and lived like an animal.) He had hardened his mind in pride and took glory from God. Finally, Neb knew that God ruled in the kingdoms of men and He appoints over them whomsoever He will. (verse 21)

Daniel rebuked the king, not afraid to tell the truth to him:

• You knew all about Nebuchadnezzar, have not humbled yourself.
• You have proudly defied the Lord of heaven drinking wine from the cups from His Temple while praising the gods.
• You have not honored the God who gives you the breath of life and controls your destiny! (verses 22-24)

Do we give honor to the God who controls our destiny? Since I have almost died several times, I try to always daily give thanks and praise to my Merciful God for the beats of my heart and breath of life. What about you, friend?

Praise the Lord from the heavens, praise Him in the heights above. (Psalm 148:1) 

Are  we careful how we use what is God's?

 

LET IT GROW

The handwriting on the wall, written in Aramic, were the words:

• Mene means numbered.
• Tekel means to balance; be weighed.
• Upharsin means to split up; divided.

Daniel did not interpret the words in terms of money, but to convey a warning to the king and Babylon. The king himself was weighed by God and found wanting or lacking, so his days were numbered and finished. His kingdom was going to be divided among the Medes and Persians, two nations of force. (verses 25-28)

The king kept his word and gave Daniel royal red clothing, a gold chain about his neck, and a promotion to the third ruler in power in the Babylonian kingdom.

History tells us that Babylon fell to the Medes and Persians. In fact, that very night that Daniel gave the king his warning, Belshazzar was slain and Daniel's promotion was of no value.

Darius the Median reigned in Babylon and had his own agenda.

Are we willing to stand for the truth and tell the truth, no matter the consequences? Do we share God's Word as truth?

Dear one, we are always coming up short when compared to Jesus. However, since we are not perfect and we sin, we have One who is perfect and paid the price for our salvation, His very life. He loves us that much and wants us to come to repentance of our sins, trusting in Jesus as Savior. Then our reward awaits us in heaven.

 

LET IT GO

May we not forget the Word of God and loose everything.

Lord God, we don't know everything, but we are trusting in You, for You know all things.

May we not waste today's opportunities.

Our very life and breath is held in Your hands.

Glory to God in the Highest, the Most High God, forever and ever.