Daily Bread

1. Though you knew all, you defied God (22-25)

Daniel sternly rebuked King Belshazzar for defying God though he knew the history: God deposed Nebuchadnezzar when he was proud but restored his kingship when he repented. Yet Belshazzar set himself up against the Lord of heaven by intentionally using the goblets from the temple of God for his drinking party. He praised the dead idols while dishonoring the living God who holds his life and all his ways. Therefore, the hand was sent to write God's judgment on the king and Babylon.

2. God numbers, weighs and divides... (26-31)

Daniel revealed the meaning-- Mene: numbered; Tekel: weighed and found wanting; Parsin: divide in two. Altogether, the Sovereign God weighed and found the king wanting so he numbered and brought Belshazzar's day to an end. His kingdom would be divided between Mede and Persia. That very night the king was slain, and Darius of Mede took over Babylon exactly as God had shown. As Romans 3:23 says, when God weighed each of us on his scales, "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God." Therefore, we all have to die like Belshazzar." (Rom 6:23) However, God opened the way for us not to perish but have eternal life (Jn 3:16). Praise Jesus!

Prayer: Lord, when you weigh me on your scales, I am far short of your glory. But I depend on Jesus who died for my lack of righteousness.

One Word: Jesus my righteousness