July 1: THOUGH YOU KNEW ALL THIS

“O king, the Most High God gave Nebuchadnezzar your father a kingdom and majesty, glory, and honor. And because of the majesty that He gave him, all peoples, nations, and languages trembled and feared before him. Whomever he wished, he executed; whomever he wished, he kept alive; whomever he wished, he set up; and whomever he wished, he put down.” Daniel 5:18-19

Daniel began by reminding Belshazzar of things in recent Babylonian and family history with which he was very familiar. Yet the lesson in humility that might have saved him had not been learned. Daniel continues:

“But when his heart was lifted up, and his spirit was hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him. Then he was driven from the sons of men, his heart was made like the beasts, and his dwelling was with the wild donkeys. They fed him with grass like oxen, and his body was wet with the dew of heaven, till he knew that the Most High God rules in the kingdom of men, and appoints over it whomever He chooses.” (vv.20-21)

This opening address spoken by Daniel showed that a spirit . . . hardened in pride could benefit from correction. Nebuchadnezzar’s painful experience brought him the greatest of all benefits. Finally, he knew that the Most High God rules—and not a mere man such as himself. And now Daniel speaks plainly of the chief obstacle within the character of Belshazzar that only became larger—to the point of no return—with each decision that he made:

“But you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, although you knew all this.” (v.22)

These words succinctly highlight the fundamental problem that people will face in the final judgment of God. Their refusal to humbly acknowledge known truths and act accordingly is tantamount to rebellion. Such a leaning, if not corrected, progresses into an overall attitude of self-exaltation, the most common form of idolatry (see Isaiah 14:12-15; Ezekiel 28:17-19).

On the other hand, acceptance and obedience to that which you know of God opens your heart and mind to the Savior and allows greater light. Wisdom and understanding are on the rise! There is actually no warrant in Scripture for the people of God to remain in ignorance. The way to gain understanding of those things which seem a mystery is to align your life with that which is clear. This is where our choice of obedience comes in. Obedience to God out of love for Him is the fruit of true repentance, that the righteous requirement of the law might be fulfilled in us who do not walk according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit, the things of the Spirit. For to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace. (Romans 8:4-6)

Other points of light: 1 Samuel 15:22; Jeremiah 9:13,24; Ezekiel 18:21; Matthew 7:22-23; 19:17; Acts 5:32; 17:30-31; Romans 2:13, 28-29; Hebrews 12:1; 2 Peter 3:18; 1 John 5:1-3; Revelation 12:17; 14:12; 21:27