My Scripture reading and meditation yesterday morning came from the prophecy of Daniel. I have found Daniel to be very insightful about where we are as a nation.

Yesterday I read Daniel 4–5, two chapters about the reign of Belshazzar in Babylon. Belshazzar was the son of Nabonidus and the grandson of Nebuchadnezzar. Belshazzar and Nabonidus were Co-regents at the end of the Babylonian Empire.

Daniel five describes how Belshazzer held a great feast for those in his government.

Even if you never read scripture, you know about “the hand writing on the wall.”

In the midst of the feast, a hand appeared writing words on a wall. Belshazzar was understandably shaken.

When none of his advisers and wisemen could give an answer for these incredible events, Daniel, the ancient wise man, was called.

He gave the meaning of the writing – – Belshazzer and his kingdom had been weighed in the balances and found wanting.

Those words in themselves make a powerful message, but there is an even greater message to be found in the chapter.

Daniel told Belshazzar, “but you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways” (Daniel 5:21).

As I prayed over America I couldn’t help but believe that this is the verse that America needs to hear. We have rejected the God who holds our very life in His hand.

No wonder Daniel said that the kingdom would fall to the Medes and the Persians. It did so that very night.

Where are we in America? Do we worship the creator of the universe or we do do we worship the creation? Belshazzar worshiped gods of silver and gold. We worship gods of sex, money, and entertainment, but we do not honor the God who holds in His hand our very lives.

I cannot change the course of a nation, but I can choose, as Belshazzar could have chosen, to seek God and to honor Him in all my ways.

You can do the same. Please join with me.

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