The Writing's on the Wall - Prayer Day

A new King is now on the throne, Nebuchadnezzar has been dead for 27 years and Daniel is now an old man in his eighties. Belshazzar is now King and has thrown a huge banquet. During this evening, he calls for the items taken from the temple during the exile, and he serves wine in them. This is his way of showing that he is greater than the God of Israel, that he can defile these objects without consequence. Do we deep down think we are greater than God?  

Almost immediately he is proved wrong, as a hand appears and writes on the wall. Belshazzar goes from arrogance to terror, he is humbled by God for his act of defiance. Are there times that we defy God?

Belshazzar then calls for all his magicians to read the writing, but none can. In this, Daniel is completely forgotten, his wisdom has not been remembered. How often do we find that people tend to simply ignore and forget God?

Daniel then interprets the writing, it is a judgement from God against Belshazzar for his rebellion against Him. Belshazzar is going to be destroyed and his kingdom will fall. The same is true for those who don’t believe today. There is judgement if there isn’t faith. Do we tend to forget the severity of God’s judgement? Would being more aware of this judgement change how we talk to those around us?

God’s kingdom outlives Babylon, just as was predicted.

​Let’s pray now over what we’ve read these last few days,
Say sorry for sometimes thinking we are greater than God and thinking we know best.
Thank Jesus that through him, our writing has been wiped away. We no longer have sin against us.
Pray that we would be more courageous at sharing the good news about Jesus to our friends. Maybe pick one person that today you’re going to talk to about your faith.