Weighed In the Balances

Reading:  Daniel 5, 6, 7
My Verse:  5:27 "TEKEL.  You are weighed in the balances and are found wanting."

I find it interesting here that Daniel made it a point to remind King Belshazzar of what happened to his father King Nebuchanezzar when, he, Nebuchanezzar's "heart was lifted up and spirit hardened" (5:20)  And because of this he became like a wild animal  "until he learned and knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men and that He appoints and sets over it whomever He will."(5:21)

Daniel recalled this because "you, his son, O Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart and mind, though you knew all this." (5:22)  Lord, this tells me that we need reminding so often even when we "know" something - we live as though we don't "know".  We are so quick to forget or live as though we forget You.  It is so easy to become so immersed in our own earthly pursuits that we live blindly.

Then the story of Kind Darius, who was so easily persuaded to exalt himself.  Oh, Lord, pride ever crouches at the door and how we do fall!  "Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall." (Proverbs 16:18)  Belshazzar died the very night Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall.  King Darius was given the opportunity to repent as God spared Daniel from the lion's den.

It is such a wonderful story - a story of God's mercy, righteousness and awesome power, of prideful living, of anguish (King Darius when he realized his foolishness), and finally of salvation!

Lord, I pray that I am not "wanting" when You take me home to be with You.

Ditat Deus - God Enriches!