Handwriting on the Wall

~~~ Daniel 5:1-6, 13-14, 16-17, 23-28 ~~~

 ~~~ (Psalm) Daniel 3:62-67 ~~~

~~~ Luke 21:12-19 ~~~

Suddenly...

the fingers of a human hand appeared,

writing on the plaster of the wall in the king’s palace.

The panic stricken king summoned the prophet, Daniel

 to come interpret the writing on the wall.

Today we have a popular saying...

'the handwriting on the wall'

This phrase comes from Chapter 5 of the book of Daniel.

It is a dire warning for the king.

Daniel is able to decipher the meaning for the king.

He reveals that the words refer to Belshazaar's reign 

and his kingdom being in jeopardy. 

And sure enough, later that evening the king 

was murdered and his kingdom given to the Medes, 

just as Daniel had predicted. 

“The handwriting on the wall” or “the writing on the wall” 

came to refer to any prediction or omen 

that a venture was doomed to failure.

There are times when people choose to ignore 

the handwriting on the wall

only to find later it was a mistake.

Have you ever ignored signs of a dire consequence?

We sometimes tend to ignore the obvious

because we do not want to admit what is evident.

Daniel was brought in to tell the king of the meaning of the writing

because neither the king or his advisers could see the meaning.

God was communicating with the prophet, Daniel.

It does sometime take someone from the outside

 to see truths about our life.

The handwriting on the wall 

was never interpreted to reveal good omens.

King Belshazzar was basically seen as a spoiled brat, 

a party boy, who inherited the kingdom.

The whole party was shocked at what was appearing on the wall.

This was no planned magic act...

There was no sophisticated projection writing on the wall.

It would be the equivalent of us seeing a ghost...

it was a surprise.

Something the king had not planned 

nor did he understand what was happening 

or how it happened...why it happened.

God had given Daniel a message for this king.

Daniel reminds the king that when his grandfather, 

King Nebuchadnezzar became arrogant and refused 

to humble himself before God, he lost his Kingdom.

You have rebelled against the Lord of heaven.

...the God in whose hand is your life breath

and the whole course of your life, you did not glorify.

God gave the king a chance to correct his behavior...

to change his life...

The message was reminding the king 

that what had been given to him could also 

be taken away in a moment.

We cannot ignore this message for us as well.

What have we taken for granted?

What have we ignored?

God tells the king that his time is up...

he has used up his second chance.

He is killed and his whole kingdom was split apart.

We are invited to remain faithful

until our death.

It is not too late for you to change. 

What would God write upon the wall for you to hear?

It is time to give glory and praise to God.

Praise him for all that is vital to your life.

Blessings to see.

~~~Peace~~~