Daniel 5:27 “’’TEKĒL’-you have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.’”

STRONG MESSAGE

Belshazzar had a problem. He had received a handwritten message on the wall of the palace (ancient graffiti) but couldn’t read it. He and his drunken partiers had seen a hand write the message and were terrified. Only Daniel was able to interpret it. While part of that message does not apply to us (We won’t be overthrown by the Medes or Persians), I believe this phrase does.

I don’t know about you, but I have always struggled with my weight. I have probably lost and gained 5 tons in my lifetime. I have never had someone tell me “You have been weighed on the scales and found deficient.” But that is NOT what the Lord is referring to here. The king’s character and humility were deficient. How about yours?

TEACHING MOMENT

Our children will definitely glean from us how we live our lives. They will model our humility or pride. They will remember our integrity or dishonesty. They will repeat many of our selfish or selfless acts. So what are you teaching little Susie or Bobby? There is no guarantee they will follow our godly examples. Belshazzar didn’t follow his father’s repentant behavior. Instead he partied hard. He thumbed his nose at the very God who had punished and delivered his father.

But we parents must do all we can to set the godly example for our children to follow. We do not want them to be “weighed on the scales and found deficient” anymore than we want to be told that. Will you vow this year to weigh every action you take in light of how your children will repeat it? Will you ask yourself, “Do I want my son/daughter to do what I am doing?”

I know I will never be perfect, but I sure want to be. Why? Because my Father in Heaven is. I want to be just like Him. I want to be remembered as a replica of Jesus. How about you?