READ: Daniel 5:1-30
This passage opens with a party hosted by the new king, Belshazzar. The banquet goes from happy to haunting when a mysterious message magically appears on the wall. The room trembled with terror. Echoing the same thought-pattern as his father before him, Belshazzar assembled a team of astrologers and enchanters to interpret the cryptic message. The royal mother had a deja-vu moment. Then, she remembered the reason behind her flashback. Reminiscing on the wisdom and insight Daniel gave to Nebuchadnezzar nearly fifty years ago, the elderly lady suggested, “There is a Jewish man in our kingdom who is a skilled interpreter, we should find him” (Daniel 5:10-11).
This passage shows something kind of sad. Daniel used to be one of the highest ranking officials in the kingdom. He was royalty. Now twenty years after his employer’s death, Daniel was basically forgotten. The kingdom was run by a new team of rulers and magicians. When Belshazzar finally met Daniel, he offered him power and prosperity. Daniel wisely declined because he understood that popular influence was just like a fad. It’ll leave as quickly it came (Daniel 5:17). Daniel, now nearly 80-years-old, understood that true fulfillment came through faith.
Daniel wasn’t focused on fame or his following. Rather, he was focused on his faithfulness to God. He didn’t try to impress them as he interpreted the dream. There was no dramatic show, no fireworks, and no refreshments. He just faithfully delivered the message from God. We should take a lesson out of Daniel’s manual. Don’t live for fame or fortune. Just focus on being faithful. Influence fluctuates. Fame fades. Wealth withers away. Internal purpose and peace from God is eternal.