“King Belshazzar prepared a great banquet for 1,000 of his nobles, and he was drinking wine in front of them all.2 While under the influence of the wine, Belshazzar issued an order to bring in the gold and silver vessels—the ones that Nebuchadnezzar his father had confiscated from the temple in Jerusalem—so that the king and his nobles, together with his wives and his concubines, could drink from them .” . . . “As they drank wine, they praised the gods of gold and silver, bronze, iron, wood, and stone.5 At that very moment the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the royal palace wall, opposite the lampstand.”
Daniel 5:1-2,4-5 NET
Almighty God,
The writings on the wall! An old fashioned saying, I have not heard said recently. I believe it became a proverbial omen of misfortune in the 18th century taken from the Old Testament tale of Belshazzar’s Feast. A disembodied hand appeared and wrote on the wall “mene mene tekel upharsin.” The prophet Daniel, explained that the king’s kingdom was soon to be “numbered, weighed, and divided.” It was, that very night!
The writings on the wall – Imminent peril! Often as a result of ignoring or going against You.
Thank You that the when the writing was on the wall and convicted us of sin (Romans 3:23), Jesus removed it, nailed it to the cross, writing across it – cancelled (Colossians 2:14). No imminent or even pending peril. Forgiven much, wonderful Saviour healed by Your touch.
We can never thank You enough. Thank You for the small inner voice of Your Holy Spirit convicting us, warning us and guiding us when we listen. Sometimes to stay silent when we may put our foot in it. Speak up when we need to say something. He encourages us to apologise when we have done wrong. Jesus writing on the wall is a choice, imminent disaster if ignored or faith, hope and love. New every morning.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Suggestions for prayer . . .
Almighty and merciful God,
For our close family.
For our extended family, friends, neighbours. Miracles.
For our church fellowship, ministers and congregations.
For Your writings in he Bible to encourage our neighbourhood. Good neighbours to prosper.
For our king and all those in authority (1 Timothy 2:2). The Royal family’s health.
For those MP’s still learning when Parliament resits.
For Ukraine. May Your will be to end war, soon. For relief, medical personnel and protection.
For Gaza, all the Middle East. Solutions for reconciliation and a lasting peace. Effective talk.
For rain in dry areas in Liberia, Ghana and rain and an end to wildfires in Oregon, USA.
For police to have Your supernatural guidance and help to find terrorists, scammers and criminals.
For Your Spirit to write on the wall to those contemplating evil, harm and change them for good.
For Christians to be salt and light and comfort in others darkness.
For us to see the love and care You write in our hearts each day afresh. Deep and new.
In Jesus name we pray, Amen.
Worship Saturday 31st September 2024
I found this hymn by Knowles Shaw. Who played the violin and furnished the music for many a dance. One day while playing at a ball, he was converted, ceasing to play in the middle of the piece. Very soon thereafter he entered the ministry of the Christian Church.
A quirky hymn. I love the line of the chorus:
Shall the record be, “Found wanting,” or shall it be, “Found trusting!”
At the feast of Belshazzar, and a thousand of his lords,
While they drank from golden vessels, as the Book of Truth records;
In the night as they revel in the royal palace hall,
They were seized with consternation,- ’twas the hand upon the wall.
‘Tis the hand of God on the wall, (writing on the wall,)
‘Tis the hand of God on the wall; (writing on the wall;)
Shall the record be, “Found wanting,” or shall it be, “Found trusting!”
While that hand is writing on the wall? (writing on the wall.)
See the brave captive Daniel, as he stood before the throng,
And rebuked the haughty monarch for his mighty deeds of wrong;
As he read out the writing, ’twas the doom of one and all,
For the kingdom now was finished,- said the hand upon the wall. [Chorus]
See the faith, zeal and courage that would dare to do the right,
Which the Spirit gave to Daniel, this the secret of his might;
In his home in Judea, or a captive in the hall-
He understood the writing of his God upon the wall. [Chorus]
So our deeds are recorded, there’s a Hand that’s writing now;
Sinner, give your heart to Jesus, to His royal mandate bow;
For the day is approaching, it must come to one and all,
When the sinner’s condemnation will be written on the wall. [Chorus]
Lyrics: Knowles Shaw.