SEPTEMBER 21, Daniel 5:18-23 

Before Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall, he gave Belshazzar a sharp rebuke . Belshazzar had taken the temple vessels and used them for drunken revelry, praised the idols made by the hands of men and mocked the living and true God. The writing on the wall was a result of Belshazzar’s sins and its interpretation was the final judgement on him.

In Daniel’s rebuke, he first reminded the king of God’s punishment on Nebuchadnezzar. This was known to all, and definitely known to Belshazzar. God punished Nebuchadnezzar for his pride in thinking that he was a great king because of his own might and power. For 7 years, the mighty Nebuchadnezzar lived as a madman in the wild, behaving like an animal and eating grass. is happened so that Nebuchadnezzar would be humbled, and know it was God who was sovereign over the kingdoms of men, and gives it to whosoever He wills. It was such a stern lesson, yet Belshazzar ignored it and did not take heed. Daniel told Belshazzar “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this”.

If we are not mindful, we too will take the road that Belshazzar took. We have heard God’s Word taught and the gospel message preached. We have been warned of the consequences of pride and the judgment of God yet our hearts can still be lifted up and hardened with pride! We may know the truth in our head but, like Belshazzar, we ignore these lessons and have not humbled our hearts.

Question: What goes before destruction and one’s fall? (Read Proverbs 16:18)

Answer: _____________ and a ______________ ______________

Thought: To know in my head is not enough, it must affect my heart and life.

Prayer: Heavenly Father, help me to take heed and be mindful of what You have taught me about the sin of pride. Please grant me a humble and teachable heart to learn from Your Word and apply it in my daily life. In Jesus’ name I pray – Amen.