“Tried and Found Wanting”

Tuesday, February 23, 2016

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)

It is amazing how often history repeats itself. We humans are stubborn and have a hard time learning from the past. Surely someone had told Belshazzar of the demise of the Nebuchadnezzar, his predecessor. (Daniel 4:28-33) Surely stories had circulated about the deliverance of three Hebrew men from the fiery furnace. (Daniel 3:26.,27) 

For nearly 70 years the Babylonians had witnessed the impact of Daniel, this godly Hebrew. When troublesome times came, who did they turn to? None of the Chaldean soothsayers or astrologers had the answer. But Daniel, with with the Spirit of God was able to provide answers.

 Belshazzar, the Babylonian ruler called for a great feast of wine and revelry. They defied the god of Daniel by taking the articles of the house of God and praising the idols of men. Suddenly their party was rattled by words that appeared on the wall: “And this is the inscription that was written: MENE, MENE, TEKEL, UPHARSIN. This is the interpretation of each word. Mene:God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it; Tekel:You have been weighed in the balances, and found wanting; Peres:Your kingdom has been divided, and given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:26,27) Belshazzar had failed to use his life to glorify the very God who had given him a breath.

It is the duty of every human to glorify God, regardless of social, or economic status. Even the most powerful rulers cannot escape this responsibility. This obligation primarily stems from man's complete dependence on his Creator and Provider.

Those who fail in this matter are regarded as rebels. When one fails, he defiles his maker by fashioning his own god and worshiping it. This is the unfortunate dilemma of every human who is accountable to God. (Romans 3:23)

Belshazzar was not an exception. God made him ruler over the Babylonian empire. Like all humans, he was accountable to the one who made him and blessed him. He was tried and found wanting. One day all of mankind will face God in a final judgment. Sadly, many will follow the path of this Babylonian ruler. Where will you be on that day?

Belshazzar lost his kingdom in one night. Sadly, he will be among those on the final day who will be sentenced to eternal destruction. What would God say about your life? Are you using it to God's glory?

By George Slover

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