“Suddenly the fingers of a human hand appeared and wrote on the plaster of the wall, near the lamp stand in the royal palace. The king watched the hand as it wrote. His face turned pale and he was so frightened that his legs became weak and his knees were knocking.” ~ Daniel 5:5-6
Different king, same nation, same problems. Sound familiar?
As I read the opening account of Daniel chapter five, my mind drifts back to the several presidential inaugurations that I’ve witnessed in my lifetime. It would seem to be a joyous occasion (at least for the winning side). A newly elected leader, surrounded by many of our nation’s most celebrated dignitaries and people of political nobility, is only moments away from assuming the highest position of authority in the most powerful nation in the world.
With this newly appointed leader comes so much hope and promise (again, at least as it pertains to the attitudes emanating from those who appointed him by election). It is a time to celebrate. A new dawn; a new era of prosperity and peace.
The Book of Daniel is a wonderful read, for many reasons. But the one thing that cannot be overlooked is this: no matter who the king of Babylon was – whether it was Nebuchadnezzar, Amel-Marduk, or Belshazzar – the nation was automatically destined for ruin because of its constant refusal to acknowledge, honor and serve the God Most High.
It was true back during the days of the Babylonian Empire, and it still applies today; a nation that dishonors God and refuses to turn from its wickedness will face utter ruin eventually. He is patient, indeed He is. But up to a point.
We have, as a nation of people, entrusted man to resolve a spiritual crisis with a worldly solution and with disastrous results. We have become the new Babylon; God’s people have become exiles in their own land.
America, America, God shed His grace on thee! And crown thy good with brotherhood, from sea to shining sea.…
“If we ever forget that we are one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under.” ~ Ronald Reagan
Former Blackout Artist 