The writing on the wall
Day 429, Tuesday, Oct. 14
Daniel Chapter 5
Today’s prophecy for King Balshazzar, son of Nebuchadnezzar, is the source of our expression about reading the writing on the wall when we foresee something unfortunate.
While Balshazzar is giving a banquet for his officials, a hand appears and writes on the wall. Eventually Balshazzar calls in Daniel to interpret the writing.
Daniel reminds Balshazzar about what happened to Nebuchadnezzar when he became prideful. “He was driven away from people and given the mind of an animal; he lived with the wild donkeys and ate grass like an ox; and his body was drenched with the dew of heaven, until he acknowledged that the Most High God is sovereign over all kingdoms on earth and sets over them anyone he wishes.”
In spite of having known that, Daniel says, Belshazzar has also been prideful and has not humbled himself. The words mean that his days are numbered.

-Rev. Mark Fleming

Tuesday meditation

Psalms 8:1-9
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!
You have set your glory in the heavens. Through the praise of children and infants you have established a stronghold against your enemies, to silence the foe and the avenger. When I consider your heavens, the work of your fingers, the moon and the stars, which you have set in place, what is mankind that you are mindful of them, human beings that you care for them?
You have made them a little lower than the angels and crowned them with glory and honor. You made them rulers over the works of your hands; you put everything under their feet: all flocks and herds, and the animals of the wild, the birds in the sky, and the fish in the sea, all that swim the paths of the seas.
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!

Prayer focus
When you show us what is to come, O God, give us the humility to watch and listen.