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REFLECTION

The writing on the wall is the theme for our reflection. The writing on the wall represents the judgment of King Belshazzar for dishonouring God when “they brought in the golden vessels that had been taken out of the temple, the house of God in Jerusalem, and the king and his lords, his wives, and his concubines drank from them. They drank wine and praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.” Daniel 5:3-4). Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall as “MENE, MENE, TEKEL, and PARSIN. This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” (Daniel 5:25-28)

Beloved in the Lord, we are mere mortals and must understand that no matter the power we possess on earth, we are not untouchable by the immortal God. Let us be careful so that we do not become power-drank and begin to rub shoulders with God, our creator. We must fear and honour God no matter who we are and regardless of our achievements in the world. King Belshazzar failed to learn from his father, Nebuchadnezzar’s punishment for being proud. He decided to also dishonour the God of Israel by partying with sacred elements taken from the Temple of the Living God. This was an act of abormibation and pride displayed by a mere mortal. The lesson of today’s reflection is that a person can become arrogant towards his or her fellow human beings and may get away with it, but he or she may not be spared when it comes to God. We are cautioned in Proverbs 16:5 that “Everyone who is arrogant in heart is an abomination to the LORD; be assured, he will not go unpunished.” It is for this reason “Pride goes before destruction and a haughty spirit before a fall.”(Proverbs 16:18)

Dear friend, as believers, let us follow Jesus’ perfect example of humility. Paul admonishes us to “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though he was in the form of God, did not count equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied himself, by taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore, God has highly exalted him and bestowed on him the name that is above every name (Philippians 2:5-9). Beloved in the Lord, unlike King Belshazzar, let us humble ourselves at our various positions of power and influence to avoid the unpleasant writing on the wall, for “God opposes the proud but gives grace to the humble.” Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Draw near to God, and he will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners, and purify your hearts, you double-minded. Be wretched and mourn and weep. Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will exalt you.” (James 4:6-9) Shalom.

PRAYER

Holy Spirit, strengthen us to remain humble in the Lord. Amen.