Wednesday 18 Oct 2017

October 18: Daniel 5:22-23

Key Verse: Daniel 5:23
Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honour the God who holds in his hand your life 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 rules up which meet our needs. What better way than to be surrounded by rules which 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 not do this because they acted like naughty children; He did this 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 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 which was dedicated for use with God down to his own earthly use. He allowed all who visited him to drink wine from them. He did what so many people are doing today and took things away from God and worshipped riches before God. Why should we even think about giving glory to something that cannot see, hear or think? God is the one that deserves our praises. God is the one who deserves our attention. God is the one who allows us to live and die. God is not dead!

Points to Ponder:
What things do you sometimes give more importance to before God?

When was the last time you lifted God up to His rightful position?