TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Your Majesty, the Most High God gave your father Nebuchadnezzar sovereignty and greatness and glory and splendor. Daniel 5:18
Read: Daniel 5:1-6
Listen:Daniel 5
TODAY’S MESSAGE
King Belshazzar throws a wild party for 1,000 of his nobles and dishonors God by using sacred goblets like everyday drinkware. The issue isn’t just how he uses the articles from God’s temple—it is complete disregard for who God is. God is the one who rescued his people from bondage in Egypt but also sent them into exile when they disregarded him. God is the one who elevated King Nebuchadnezzar to world power but humbled him when he refused to acknowledge God. As Belshazzar fails to take God seriously for who he is, he and the kingdom pay the price.
We may think we would never dishonor God in such a way. Yet we, too, may not take God seriously for all he is. Instead, we may treat God and his Word like a buffet line. We choose what we like about him, ignoring what we don’t like or find hard to understand. We may want to focus on his love, forgiveness and faithfulness and ignore his holiness, justice and judgment. Yet to honor God is to show respect for all of who he is—not just what we want him to be.
Honoring God with our words, decisions and lives means taking him seriously for who he actually is. We respond with respect for the aspects of his character we like and the parts that make us uncomfortable. God will not allow us to define him based on our preferences. As we spend time in the Bible, God helps us know and understand who he is rather than just who we want him to be.
IN YOUR CHAIR TIME TODAY
Confess any areas God reveals where you have not honored him or have neglected parts of his character you do not like. Ask for forgiveness and to understand how these parts of him are also good and can be a blessing in your life. “God, I confess I have disregarded you as _____________________. Please forgive me and help me to honor all of who you are. Help me know you as you are, not just as I want you to be. Amen.”
2022 BIBLE MEMORY PRACTICE
Develop spiritual roots and tap in the power of God’s word by memorizing monthly a Bible verse! View previous verses at beyondtheweekend.org/biblememorypractice.
MATTHEW 11:28-30
“Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light.”
Download a printable PDF of the BTW week here.
