When we are prideful and arrogant …

While King Belshazzar was acting with arrogance and pride,

suddenly God caused the fingers of a human hand

to write the inscription "Mene Mene Tekel Uparsin."

The king, upon seeing it, was so frightened

that his face turned pale and his legs gave way.

He called out loudly for the magicians, enchanters,

and astrologers of Babylon, declaring that anyone

who could read and interpret the writing would be clothed in purple,

have a gold chain placed around their neck,

and be made the third highest ruler in the kingdom.

However, none of the wise men could read or interpret the writing.

At that time, the king's mother introduced Daniel,

who had been known for his wisdom comparable to that

of the gods during the reign of King Nebuchadnezzar, the king's father.

Daniel then interpreted the meaning of the inscription

"Mene Mene Tekel Uparsin" for King Belshazzar

(Daniel 5:1-16, 24-26).

When I meditate on this passage,

I hope that when we are prideful and arrogant,

God will speak to us through the Word of God,

which is the sword of the Spirit (Ephesians 6:17).

May this Word cause us to tremble (Isaiah 66:5)

and bring conviction to our hearts

(1 Samuel 24:5; 2 Samuel 24:10; Acts 2:37).

I pray that the indwelling Holy Spirit will humble us before God

(Daniel 10:12) and lead us to repent of our sins (Acts 2:38),

turning away from our wrongdoing

and keeping all of God's commandments

(Ezekiel 18:21).