(Read Daniel 5:21-24)
This morning we continue our series, “Grace that is Simply Amazing” by continuing our mini-series entitled, “Grace Based Success (Prosperity)”. In yesterday’s message we saw how Daniel gave King Belshazzar a word of correction before he interpreted the writing on the wall. Today we will continue with that word of correction. Tomorrow we will get to the actual writing on the wall.
Daniel said to Belshazzar, “Nebuchadnezzar was forced to go away from people. His mind became like the mind of an animal. He lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox. He became wet with dew. These things happened to him until he learned his lesson. He learned that God Most High rules over human kingdoms, and he gives them to whoever he wants.
But Belshazzar, you already knew this. You are Nebuchadnezzar’s grandson, but still you have not made yourself humble. No, you did not become humble. Instead, you have turned against the Lord of heaven. You ordered the drinking cups from his Temple to be brought to you. Then you and your royal officials, your wives, and your slave women drank wine from those cups. You gave praise to the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone. They are not really gods; they cannot see or hear or understand anything. But you did not give honor to the God who has the power over your life and everything you do. So because of that, God sent the hand that wrote on the wall.”
So what does this mean to you today? A few things.
1. Successful believers learn from the mistakes of others.
a) King Belshazzar was well aware of the correction that came to Nebuchadnezzar because of his pride. However, Belshazzar did not learn from Nebuchadnezzar’s mistake.
b) In Paul’s letter to the church in Rome the Apostle said, “Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us.” (Rom 15:4).
c) In Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth the Apostle said, “Remember our history, friends, and be warned… The same thing could happen to us… These are all warning markers—danger!—in our history books, written down so that we don’t repeat their mistakes. Our positions in the story are parallel—they at the beginning, we at the end—and we are just as capable of messing it up as they were. Don’t be so naive and self-confident. You’re not exempt. You could fall flat on your face as easily as anyone else. Forget about self-confidence; it’s useless. Cultivate God-confidence.” (1 Cor 10:1, 6, 11, 12 MSG).
2. Successful believers learn from the successes of others.
a) King Belshazzar had every opportunity to learn from the lesson Nebuchadnezzar learned the hard way, but he didn’t.
b) Solomon said, “When you punish a proud person who laughs at what is right, even fools will learn something. But a little instruction is enough for the wise to learn what they should.” (Prov 21:11 ERV). The Message Bible paraphrase of this verse reads, “Simpletons only learn the hard way, but the wise learn by listening.”
c) The writer of the letter to the Hebrews said, “Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.” (Heb 13:7).
d) If you want to succeed in life and in Christ, learn from those who have gone before you. Avoid the mistakes of the unsuccessful and follow the example of the faith of the successful.
3. Successful believers remain humble and discern the movement of God in different times and seasons.
a) I started this year out telling you that I believe we are in a season of Great Grace. I believe we will see the grace of God manifested like never before.
b) We live our lives out in times and seasons. Successful believers are able to discern the movement of God and submit to the flow of God’s grace.
c) Many believers stress-out because they are trying to ‘make’ things happen. Success, for them, is a matter of more trying. Grace-based success is actually a matter of more dying.
d) When you understand God and His grace, you don’t stress-out attempting to ‘make’ things happen. You discern what God is doing and you ride the wave of His grace.
e) Belshazzar had an opportunity to ride the wave of grace that was flowing over Babylon after Nebuchadnezzar learned his lesson. But instead of continuing in the vein of humility and submission, Belshazzar chose pride and arrogance and it cost him dearly.
f) During this season God is doing great things. Don’t miss out. Don’t stress out. Humble yourself, submit to God, and ride the wave of His Great Grace.
Closing Confession: Father, I thank You for teaching me about Your grace and my requirement to live by faith. I am required to walk, live, pray, fight and overcome the world by faith. Faith is my part. But faith does not work with stress. Faith has a rest component to it. Faith works as I enter into Your rest and understand Your grace. My faith simply accesses Your grace. Wherever I don’t discern Your grace, I don’t release my faith. Faith is not about me telling You what to do. Faith is about me submitting to what You have already provided for me by grace. Belshazzar had an opportunity to ride the wave of Your grace; a wave created as You saw a change in Nebuchadnezzar. But instead of learning from Nebuchadnezzar and riding the wave of grace, Belshazzar repeated Nebuchadnezzar’s mistakes. This won’t be said of me. I humble myself. I learn from those who have gone before me. I read the examples You left for me in Your Word. I open my heart to hear and discern the times and seasons I am in. I believe this is a season of Great Grace and my heart is open to ride the wave in this season. Like a surfer, I can’t create the wave. You create the wave and it is a wave of grace. I simply use my faith to ride the wave and make the most of this season. I declare this by faith. In Jesus’ name. Amen.
This is Today’s Word! Apply it and Prosper.
