Title Daniel 5:17~24 (2011.1.20)
Contents
Title: History in God's Hands
Text: (Daniel 5:17-24)
Hymns: 276. Father, this sinner
Date: January 20, 2011 (Thursday) 5 am
Venue: Jeonju Yebut Church Small Worship Room
It's not easy to point out the faults of someone in a higher position than you. It is unimaginable for the people to rebuke the monarch of a country. However, Daniel in the text boldly and wisely announces the will of God to the king. How was this possible?
1. The right view of matter (verse 17)
Belshazzar offers Daniel a great gift, a reward, and a high censure if he reads and explains the wall. But Daniel rejects the king's offer. He made it clear that the Word of God cannot be bought with material things. Daniel had a clear view of material things as a servant of God. If you are a servant of God, you must have the same attitude as Daniel in terms of money and honor. Daniel, who had this perfect view of materiality, also did his best as a servant. He fulfilled the mission of a prophet by unraveling the word of God and delivering it to the king. What kind of material view do we have? And are you living your life to the best of your ability?
2. Right view of faith (verse 18)
Daniel first tells Belshazzar the story of his predecessor, Nebuchadnezzar. It refers to the fact that Nebuchadnezzar was deposed under God's discipline, but was restored after realizing God's sovereignty, power and majesty. The reason Daniel is telling this story is to reveal that it is the God of the Jewish people that King Belshazzar ignored, who gave Nebuchadnezzar power and wisdom, who led the heyday of Babylon. Even now, God is ruling the whole world. The rise and fall of all nations is in God's hands. Also, every individual's life is in God's hands. Let us remember this fact and live according to his will in the reign of God.
3. Belshazzar's fault (verse 23)
Daniel points out this time Belshazzar's folly. Belshazzar had heard of his predecessor Nebuchadnezzar, but he was arrogant and drank wine from the name of the temple in Jerusalem and worshiped lifeless creatures. He knew what the source of his power was through the actions of his predecessors, but he ignored God. As a result, Belshazzar suffered the misfortune of destruction. Behind the history of the world, the providence of God the Absolute is at work. Therefore, all human beings must realize God's will through various types of events. We must also accept and obey God's warnings and admonitions, not disregarding them.
There are two contrasting characters in the text. Belshazzar, who ignores God and lives proudly and stands before God's judgment, and Daniel, who fears God and lives God's will. Whose path are we following? I hope that you will become a wise person who stands where God wants you to be.
<Prayer>
1. Help me to live with a right view of materialism and faith!
2. For Barnabas Ministry Seminar: 22 (Sat) 10am-4:30pm, Jeonju Shinsang Church
3. For the sick (Elder Kim Eul-su, Deacon Park Jong-rok, Deacon Kim Young-sik, Brother Kim Dong-il, Choi Hoon-yong, Yang Cheon-bong Seong-do (the real government of Yangcheon-soon Deacon, Jesus Hospital intensive care unit), Choi Hoon-yong)