Thursday Reading: Daniel 5:22-23
Key Verse: Daniel 5:23
23 But you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of Heaven. And 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, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor hear, nor know. And you have not glorified the God in whose hand is your breath and all your ways.
Devotion:
No matter what we come across or what we see happen, we do like to make up our own rules about almost everything in life. We have rules and regulations to follow, but still we like to make our own so that they suit our every need. What better than to be surrounded by rules that support you! Daniel read the writing on the wall which spelt our Belshazzar's doom because of exactly this. Have you noticed how it's always better, somehow, to read about how someone else has done things wrong and learn from that than to learn what you have done wrong first!
Key Verse: Daniel 5:23
23 But you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of Heaven. And 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, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see, nor hear, nor know. And you have not glorified the God in whose hand is your breath and all your ways.
Devotion:
No matter what we come across or what we see happen, we do like to make up our own rules about almost everything in life. We have rules and regulations to follow, but still we like to make our own so that they suit our every need. What better than to be surrounded by rules that support you! Daniel read the writing on the wall which spelt our Belshazzar's doom because of exactly this. Have you noticed how it's always better, somehow, to read about how someone else has done things wrong and learn from that than to learn what you have done wrong first!
God cast Adam and Eve out of the garden of Eden for consuming the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. He did that because they elevated themselves spiritually to God's position. The tower of Babel was destroyed and people confused with diverse languages because they attempted to physically elevate themselves to God's position. What makes us think that we are going to get any different reaction from God is we do the same? We are not God! We do not have the capacity to fill His shoes!
Belshazzar had gone as far as to bring the vessels from the temple at Jerusalem and use them at his own table; bringing something that was dedicated for use with God down to his own earthly use. He allowed all that visited him to drink wine from them. He did what so many people are doing today and worshipped riches before God. Why should we even think about giving glory to something that cannot see, hear nor think? God is the one that deserves our praises. God is the one who deserves our attention. God is the one that allows us to live and die. God is the only God.
Points to Ponder:
What things do you sometimes give more importance to than God?
What things do you sometimes give more importance to than God?
When was the last time you lifted God up to His rightful position?