Lessons Learned

But you, Belshazzar, his son, have not humbled yourself, though you knew all this. Instead, you have set yourself up against the Lord of heaven. You had the goblets from his temple brought to you, and you and your nobles, your wives and your concubines drank wine from them. You praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood and stone, which cannot see or hear or understand. But you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways.

Daniel 5:22-23 NIV

Nebuchadnezzar was the king who God caused to lose his mind because of his pride and arrogance. He lost his kingship and lived like a wild beast in the field after declaring the mighty works of his kingdom were his - done by his own hands - and did not glorify God. He was also Belshazzar's ancestor, so Belshazzar knew all this and still didn't humble his heart. The breath God gave them, they used to deny God and renounce Him. So he, like his ancestor before him, lost everything, too.

You'd think they would learn, wouldn't you? But before we judge their actions, we have to ask ourselves, have we learned the lesson?

Do we still insist that we don't want to do (or go or be) what the Holy Spirit is leading us to? Do we acknowledge and glorify God for the strength and the wisdom and the abilities He alone has given us or do we take the credit for any accomplishments?

...and the God who holds your breath in His hand and owns all your ways, you have not glorified.  Let's learn the lesson before it's too late.

Prayer:

Father,
            Forgive our foolish pride and pathetic attempts at greatness. Teach us how to humble ourselves - to throw ourselves on the rock before we are crushed by it! It is only through You that we have life at all. All talents and gifts were given to us in our mother's womb when You created us and numbered our days. All glory and honor and praise to You, O God! In Jesus' Name we pray. Amen