4 minute read
“Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lampstand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.” (Daniel 5:5-6 NIV)
Whoever God appoints reads the writing on the wall.
Our narrative in today’s scripture took place while King Belshazzar has dinner with a thousand of his closest friends. During the festival, a hand appears and writes a message for all to see. The problem is, no one knows what it says. Belshazzar tries to find someone to interpret the message; no one can. Finally, his wife finds out about the problem. The queen tells him to call Daniel because he has the “spirit of the holy gods in him” (Daniel 5:11 NIV). Daniel comes and reads the inscription; “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, PARSIN”. (Daniel 5:25 NIV). Interpreted the words mean the king’s rule has ended, judgement is against him, the kingdom divided and given away (Daniel 5:26-28 NIV). Hence the origin for the common phrase, “writing on the wall.”
Important to note, not everyone can read the writing on the wall. Guests in attendance were able to see the writing, but they couldn’t understand what it meant. Only one looking through God’s eyes could interpret the words. What was true thousands of years ago is true today. Not everyone can see the writing on the wall. They don’t understand the turmoil in the world because they are looking through human eyes. When we join our spirit with God’s, as Daniel did, we begin to understand what no one else can.
Gain spiritual vision.
Daniel had spiritual vision. He honored God more than anyone else, even the king. His life devoted to following God. Daniel’s reward was a new lens to see the world. Instead of seeing what everyone else at the banquet saw, He saw what God saw. We can’t see what God sees if we aren’t in a daily relationship with Him.
My husband and I celebrated 8 years of marriage in August. When I married my husband, I thought I knew him. However, 2,999 days later, I know him much better. Each day our relationship deepens as we invest in each other. Our relationship with God grows with us as we include him in our days. We learn new things about God, ourselves, people, everyday. Pursuing relationships takes work, but the rewards are worth every bit of effort. The more effort, the deeper the relationship, which is the reward.
Pray this simple prayer: “God help me see what You see.” Let Him open your eyes to the writing on the wall.
Question of the Day:
Who or what do you need to see through God’s eyes?
Further Reading: Daniel 5 NIV, 2 Peter 2:1-22 NIV, Psalm 119:113-128 NIV, Proverbs 28:19-20 NIV
