The Writing on the Wall

Daniel 5:1-19

The story tells about how the King of Babylon brought out the gold and silver of the Holy Temple and used it for merrymaking and drinking. While they were in the middle of the celebration, they saw a hand, writing on the wall, “Mene, Tekel, Peres”. The King was terrified and asks whoever can interpret the writing. But no one could until Daniel came over. Daniel gave the interpretation as a message from the God Most High. If this message will be addressed to us today it may well be like this:

“You knew what happened to the people who worshipped money and material things than me and you knew what happened to the people who glorify themselves instead of me. Yet you choose to continue doing the same things as they did and much more. You use the offerings of the people to enrich yourself. You use my words for money making. You use the abilities and talents that I have given you to make yourself rich and trample upon others. You choose to waste your time on computer games, chats and tweets, and be addicted to internet but you never even given a single second for me. You had made your work your god and even work on my day I declared holy. You worship your cars and homes, clothings and latest gadgets. You glorify and worship your girlfriends and boyfriends. You want to go on vacation and go on a cruise but not even an hour for me. You want to rest but not in me. You think of yourself highly as if you will last forever. ‘But the God in whose hands is your life breath and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify.  By him were the wrist and hand sent, and the writing set down.’ Daniel 5:23-24

Mene, Tekel, Peres

Mene – God has numbered your possessions and will take it away from you.

Tekel – You had been weighed on scale and found wanting. You are never satisfied because you are greedy.

Peres – Your possessions and others that you value will be divided and be given to others.”

We know what happened to the King. Let us not wait for the writing on the wall.

Thank you Lord for reminding us that You alone should we worship and adore nothing more and no one else. Amen.

by aats