Living for God in Ungodly Times - Message 6 - Divided by Darius. Darius was coming to conquer Babylon. Belshazzar had no idea what was about to happen. He believed he was safe so he threw a party. As they reveled in sin and worshipped their false gods they took steps to blaspheme the Most High God, until in the midst of the celebration a hand appeared and wrote on the wall! Proud and drunk as he was, this shook Belshazzar to the point that he turned pale and his knees knocked together. He immediately called for the wise men and magicians to tell him what this meant. Finally the queen (we do not know if this was a wife or his mother) reminded him about Daniel. A man "in whom is the Spirit of God." She knew Daniel. She knew his testimony and his history with Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar called Daniel and offered him what he had offered his wise men. If he could tell him what the writing meant he would be given a royal robe, a gold chain, and made third in the kingdom. Daniel wanted nothing to do with the gifts he was offered. He boldly preached to Belshazzar, telling him that even though he knew the truth about Nebuchadnezzar and the Most High God, he chose to worship idols and mock God. Instead of being humbled by the truth, Belshazzar believed he was immune to it. Daniel interpreted the writing, telling the meaning of the words, and explaining how they would be fulfilled that very night. Belshazzar had been weighed and found wanting, that is, for all that he knew, for all the truth he had been taught, he was not faithful, obedient, or humble before God. And as a result the kingdom would be taken from him. Here we learn lessons about godliness, a good testimony, and faith. |
