The Writing on the Wall

The Writing on the Wall, Part 1

His Knees Knocked Together

This devotional is the first of a 2 part series based on Dan. 5.

"The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way." (Dan 5:5-6)

Belshazzar is throwing a party, and anyone who is anyone in Babylon is invited! And what a party! The wine is flowing freely, the music is playing, everyone is joyful . . . Everyone except Belshazzar, that is! Something is wrong, but he can't quite put his finger on what it is. He reaches out to take a sip of his wine. Hum. The same old cup. Shouldn't a ruling monarch of Babylon be able to have a better cup if he so chose? And wouldn't the wine taste better if all of his 1000 partying nobles had precious cups? Suddenly he remembers: The spoils of Jerusalem! The stores of sacred vessels taken from the Temple. Hundreds of golden goblets, just lying there collecting dust, untouched for over 60 years! That's it! Belshazzar sits suddenly forward and barks out an order for a servant to bring the golden goblets.

Finally the goblets arrive, and when they do, Belshazzar knows this is just the thing that was missing from his party! As he lovingly caresses the rim of the brightest and biggest goblet, he gestures for the servants to pass the rest out to his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. He waits impatiently as his servant fills it up with the finest wine in the land . . . "A toast!" he cries, holding up his overflowing goblet. "To the gods of gold and silver, of bronze, iron, wood and stone!" "Cheers!" cry out his nobles, his wives, and his concubines. "The gods of gold!"

Suddenly, as if called out by the roar of the crowd, a hand appears in the air and a finger begins writing on the wall . . . (See Dan. 5:1-4)

Talk about crashing a party! Even your parents couldn't have done a better job! This had to be the "ultimate" in "party crashing"! As all the life quickly dies out of the room, the color drains just as quickly from Belshazzar's face. The Bible records "he was so frightened that his knees knocked together and his legs gave way." (Dan 5:6) And this must have also been the response of the others in the room, for the Bible records that "His nobles were baffled." Dan 5:9

Belshazzar's next move is not a surprising one. He calls in all the wise men of the kingdom to read the words and to tell him what it all means. But there isn't a single wise man who can help him. Belshazzar's response? "King Belshazzar became even more terrified and his face grew more pale." (Dan. 5:9).

Right in the peak of this terrifying occurrence, the queen remembers Daniel, and he is sent for. Just as with the other wise men of the land, Belshazzar offers Daniel riches and power if he can read the words on the wall and tell their meaning. But here, all semblance with what happens with the other wise men ends. Why? Because Daniel is the only one in the room who is not afraid! Daniel keeps his wits about him as he calmly proceeds to tell Belshazzar that he doesn't want the reward. Then he gives Belshazzar a little lesson in history, reminding him of how God had revealed Himself to Nebuchadnezzar, ending his monologue with a firm rebuke. Only then does he do what he was called to do: Interpret the words on the wall! (See Dan. 5:8-28).

So how come Daniel wasn't afraid, when everyone else was? You are probably thinking that the answer is pretty obvious, and it is. But just so that the meaning doesn't get swept out too freely, I will belabor the point for a few moments. All the others were afraid but Daniel was not -- why? Because Daniel personally knew the One who wrote on the wall!

God is to be feared. But only by those who aren't on His side! Those who know God personally need never be afraid of what God brings about. Those who have developed a personal, trust relationship with God don't need to fear the judgment, or the great tribulation, or even the day to day trials that each of us face! Instead, those who have placed their trust in their Friend, Jesus Christ, and work daily on building that friendship-relationship, can face even the most terrifying circumstances without fear! "For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind." (2 Tim 1:7).

Friends, do you, like Daniel, have that kind of a trust-relationship with God? Or like Belshazzar and his guests, are you afraid? Are you afraid of the judgment? Do you worry about whether or not you will survive the great tribulation? Do you wonder if your Salvation is really secure? Or perhaps you are anxious about how the bills are going to be paid. Or whether or not you will make it safely home. Or if you will be able to keep your job tomorrow. If you find yourself more like Belshazzar, then today is the day to begin working on getting to know God! As you do, as you spend time with Him, as you learn to give all your problems to Him, ever trusting that He will make all things beautiful (Eccl. 3:11), you will find that just like Daniel, you, too, will have no reason to fear!

Get to know God today, my friends! Learn to trust Him, and you will experience for yourselves that peace that passes understanding! You will know the true meaning of Heb. 4: "for anyone who enters God's rest also rests from his own work, just as God did from his." (Heb 4:10-11). Is it for nothing that Paul admonishes us to: "Let the peace of Christ rule in your hearts, since as members of one body you were called to peace. And be thankful." (Col 3:15-16)?

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand." (Is. 41:10)