In Daniel 5, Belshazzar is throwing what the Bible terms a “feast” but what we would probably call an orgy. This king doesn’t worship the true God even though his ancestors acknowledged that Daniel’s God was the true God. Daniel seems to have fallen out of favor with the ruler. Where, might we ask, is God in this? Does He know what is going on?
Proverbs 15: 3 The Lord is watching everywhere, keeping his eye on both the evil and the good.[1] God is watching and powerfully demonstrated the fact by writing a message on the wall. None of the king’s advisors could make sense of it and finally the King’s mother remembers Daniel. Daniel gives the king a message of judgement. God has been watching and is about to do something to change things.
Years before David had written Psalm 37 which speaks wisdom for this kind of situation. It is good advise for us today: 1 Don’t follow after the wicked ones or be jealous of their wealth. Don’t think for a moment they’re better off than you. 2 They and their short-lived success will soon shrivel up and quickly fade away like grass clippings in the hot sun. 3 Keep trusting in the Lord and do what is right in his eyes. Fix your heart on the promises of God and you will be secure, feasting on his faithfulness. 4 Make God the utmost delight and pleasure of your life, and he will provide for you what you desire the most. 5 Give God the right to direct your life, and as you trust him along the way you’ll find he pulled it off perfectly![2]
To hear more of the story of Daniel, listen here: https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/series/daniel-a-man-of-character/writing-on-the-wall
[1] Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188.
[2] The Passion Translation®. Copyright © 2017 by BroadStreet Publishing® Group, LLC. thePassionTranslation.com