Daniel 5:13-31

“And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, bronze and iron, wood and stone, which do not see or hear or know; and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.” (Daniel 5:23, NKJV)

Belshazzar had everything a man could desire—wealth, power, prestige and a harem of wives and concubines. He received these because he was of royal blood. He also had been given a spiritual heritage through his grandfather (or great-grandfather) Nebuchadnezzar. Nebuchadnezzar had been raised as a pagan, worshiping a multitude of gods. But the LORD chose him, used him as an instrument of judgment, and finally revealed Himself to him. In the end, Nebuchadnezzar praised the Most High God who rules in the kingdoms of men. It isn’t how we begin our lives, but how we end them that determines our destiny. Nebuchadnezzar began as a blasphemer but became a believer, and I believe we will see him in heaven.

But Belshazzar had not followed in the footsteps of his heroic ancestor. He had no interest in knowing Yahweh, who rules over heaven and earth. During the king’s great feast, he drank wine from His sacred vessels while praising the gods of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood and stone. What sacrilege!

But when a human hand appeared and started writing on the plaster wall, Belshazzar was terrified! He called for Daniel and promised him many gifts if he could interpret the cryptic writing. Daniel told him that he could keep his gifts. Then he rebuked the king for worshiping dead idols and ignoring the true and living God who held his breath in His hand and owned all his ways. Belshazzar knew what the LORD had done in the life of his predecessor, but he failed to glorify Him. Now his life would be required of him.

If the LORD held a pagan king’s breath in His hand, then how much more does He hold our breath? How much more does He own all of our ways? He determines the number of our days; He knows every breath we take. All of our ways are before Him, and He owns each one. Are we glorifying Him or bowing to the idols of this world? The good news is that if we sincerely trust Christ, then no one can snatch us out of His hand!