12.05.2014 Old Testament: Dan 5.23

To read the Bible in a year, read Daniel 5–6 on December 5, In the year of our Lord 2014

By Don Ruhl

King Belshazzar blasphemed the God of heaven, not realizing what he had done, although he should have known. After the king used the utensils, cups, and other items from the temple of God in Jerusalem for partying, God sent a hand to write on a wall. It frightened the king, and he asked Daniel the meaning of the writing. Part of what Daniel said is this masterpiece,

“And you have lifted yourself up against the Lord of heaven. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified (Daniel 5.23). 

Belshazzar glorified the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which cannot see, hear or know, whereas the God who sees, hears, and knows, and who held Belshazzar’s breath in His hands, and who owned all the ways of Belshazzar, the king did not glorify! He paid with his life for that irony.

Therefore, make glorifying God your priority, remembering that He holds your breath in His hands and that He owns all your ways.