Tag: Daniel 4-6
Drunken delusions!
Scripture reading for September 2nd, 2014–Daniel 4-6
King Belshazzar of Babylon had a party for a thousand of his nobles. After drinking for a while, the king ordered that the golden goblets that his grandfather had taken from the Temple of God in Israel be brought out. They were filled with wine and toasts were offered to the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. These idols of Babylon were thought to bring protection and power to the King of Babylon. As they were toasting, boasting and celebrating, there appeared what looked like human fingers that wrote upon the wall. (Daniel 5:1-6) This sight was deeply sobering to the king and his knees began to knock together with fear.
The king called all his wise men to read the writing but no one could tell him what it said. Then the queen, very possibly his own mother or grandmother, told him about Daniel. Daniel was now an old man, probably in his 80’s. He was not among those drinking in the palace because of his godly character and life of prayer and consecration to the one true God. (Daniel 5:10-12) It was the Spirit of God in him that made all the difference, however.
Daniel spoke plainly to Belshazzar about God’s dealings with his father Nebuchadnezzar. He then told Belshazzar that he had failed to honor the God who held his life in His hands. (Daniel 5:22-24) Belshazzar had mocked God and angered Him by his refusal to humble himself and by drinking wine from the sacred goblets. Now the decree of God on the wall stated that God was sending judgment and Belshazzar’s kingdom would fall and be given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:25-28) That very night it came to pass! (Daniel 5:30-31)
It is easy to become drunk on the wine of this world and put what is profane in our holy goblets (our bodies and souls). Pride makes us drunk and delusional about who we are and the real source of our life. Those who are consecrated to God have insight and ability to read the handwriting on the wall because they truly know God and His Word! Daniel had read God’s Word in Jeremiah 51:39 and could understand what was happening! Take note of these truths to avoid drunken delusion!
The wine of pride!
Scripture reading for August 31st: Daniel 4-6
Alcohol has been around for many years and impairs judgment and often brings delusional thinking. (Proverbs 23:29-35) The effects of alcohol are also a picture of the effect of sin on the body, soul, and mind of a person made in God’s image for His glory!
King Belshazzar of Babylon had a party for a thousand of his nobles. After drinking for a while, the king ordered that the golden goblets that his grandfather had taken from the Temple of God in Israel be brought out. They were filled with wine and toasts were offered to the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. As they were toasting, boasting and celebrating, there appeared what looked like human fingers that wrote upon the wall. (Daniel 5:1-6) This sight was deeply sobering to the king and all present!
The king called all his wise men to read the writing but no one could tell him what it said. Then the queen, very possibly his own mother or grandmother, told him about Daniel. Daniel was now an old man, probably in his 80’s. He was not among those drinking in the palace because of his godly character and life of prayer and consecration to the one true God. (Daniel 5:10-12)
Daniel spoke plainly to Belshazzar about God’s dealings with his father Nebuchadnezzar. He then told Belshazzar that he had failed to honor the God who held his life in His hands. (Daniel 5:22-24) Belshazzar had mocked God and angered Him by his refusal to humble himself and by drinking wine from the sacred goblets. Now the decree on the wall stated that God was sending judgment and Belshazzar’s kingdom would fall and be given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:25-28) That very night it came to pass! (Daniel 5:30-31)
What can we learn from this incident? It is easy to become drunk on the wine of this world and put what is profane in our holy goblets (our bodies and souls). Pride makes us drunk and delusional about who we are and the real source of our life. Those who are consecrated to God have insight and ability to read the handwriting on the wall because they truly know God and His Word! Daniel had read God’s Word in Jeremiah 51:39 and could understand what was happening. Fill your vessel with God’s Word and the Holy Spirit!
In the Lion’s Den
Scripture reading for September 2nd: Daniel 4-6
Have you ever faced a pack of hungry lions? How would you feel about being thrown to the lions for praying three times a day? I admit that setting out to pray can bring on the lions who try to deter your focus, but Daniel had to actually endure a night in a den of hungry lions for simply praying to his God!
Daniel was a man of good character. He was one of three government administrators who King Darius the Mede chose to watch over the affairs of conquered Babylon. Daniel was known for his honesty and diligence. He was so respected and favored, that Darius was planning to appoint him over all the others in the kingdom. (Daniel 6:1-5)
Because the other administrators were jealous, they plotted to bring charges against Daniel to remove him from power. They proposed a decree to the King to have thirty days where it would be a crime to pray or worship any other god but the King. The penalty was being thrown into the lion’s den. King Darius signed the order without thinking, and it was irrevocable.
Daniel knew about the decree, but went about his usual prayer business. Three times a day he opened his upstairs windows and prayed towards Jerusalem. The advisers knew of his practice and caught him praying. They told the king, who was greatly distressed when he realized what he had done! (Daniel 6:10-15) He brought Daniel in and gave the order to have him thrown into the Lion’s den. His final words were, “May your God, whom you serve continually, rescue you!” (Daniel 6:16)
We all know how this story ended. God did protect Daniel from the hungry lions and he was safely removed from the den the next morning. Those who accused him were thrown in and devoured! God was honored by King Darius and a decree was made to honor Daniel’s God throughout the kingdom! (Daniel 6:24-27)
The lesson for us is that it truly pays to live a godly life in a wicked land. God uses our faithfulness and prayer to influence those around us. He wants us to be faithful, even if it may take us to the lion’s den. God promises to use our lives to bring glory to His name as we are faithful to Him! Would you be convicted by the world for your faithfulness to pray?
The wine of pride!
Alcohol has been around for many years and here in the Book of Daniel, we have a record of a group of people having a party and drinking. Alcohol impairs judgment and often brings delusional thinking. (Proverbs 23:29-35) The effects of alcohol are also a picture of the effect of sin on the body, soul, and mind of a person made in God’s image for His glory!
King Belshazzar of Babylon had a party for a thousand of his nobles where they drank wine. After drinking for a while, the king ordered that the golden goblets that his grandfather had taken from the Temple of God in Israel be brought out. They were filled with wine and toasts were offered to the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood and stone. These idols of Babylon were thought to bring protection and power to the King of Babylon. As they were toasting, boasting and celebrating, there appeared what looked like human fingers that held a writing instrument and wrote upon the wall. (Daniel 5:1-6) This sight was deeply sobering to the king and his knees began to knock together with fear; his legs gave way.
The king called all his wise men, diviners, and astrologers to read the writing but no one could tell him what it said. Then the queen, very possibly his own mother or grandmother, told him about Daniel. Daniel was now an old man, probably in his 80’s. He was not among those drinking in the palace because of his godly character and life of prayer and consecration to the one true God. (Daniel 5:10-12) It was the Spirit of God in him that made all the difference, however.
Daniel spoke plainly to Belshazzar about God’s dealings with his father Nebuchadnezzar. He then told Belshazzar that he had failed to honor the God who held his life in His hands. (Daniel 5:22-24) Belshazzar had mocked God and angered Him by his refusal to humble himself and by drinking wine from the sacred goblets. Now the decree of God on the wall stated that God was sending judgment and Belshazzar’s kingdom would fall and be given to the Medes and Persians. (Daniel 5:25-28) That very night it came to pass! (Daniel 5:30-31)
What can we learn from this incident? It is easy to become drunk on the wine of this world and put what is profane in our holy goblets (our bodies and souls). Pride makes us drunk and delusional about who we are and the real source of our life. We must pay attention to God’s dealings with those around us. Others have found truth and we would be wise to listen and learn. Finally, those who are consecrated to God have insight and ability to read the handwriting on the wall because they truly know God and His Word! Daniel had read God’s Word in Jeremiah 51:39 and could understand what was happening. Apply what God is teaching you today and be among the wise who have the Spirit of the Holy God!