Belshazzar Greatly Troubled - Daniel 5:9

In the book of Daniel, Daniel shared how Belshazzar “the king saw the part of the hand that wrote. Then the king's countenance was changed, and his thoughts troubled him, so that the joints of his loins were loosed, and his knees smote one against another. The king cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers. And the king spoke, and said to the wise men of Babylon, Whosoever shall read this writing, and show me the interpretation thereof, shall be clothed with scarlet, and have a chain of gold about his neck, and shall be the third ruler in the kingdom. Then came in all the king's wise men: but they could not read the writing, nor make known to the king the interpretation thereof”, and in chapter five and verse nine of his book Daniel said, “then was Belshazzar greatly troubled” where we read,

Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, 

and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.

The verse reads, “Then was king Belshazzar greatly troubled, …” Daniel began with the words, “then was king Belshazzar” or “at this time was the royal ruler and leader Belshazzar whose name means Bel protect the king” “greatly troubled” which means “exceedingly frightened, alarmed and dismayed”. Daniel shared how the royal ruler and leader “Belshazzar” was exceedingly frightened.

The verse goes on to say, “… and his countenance was changed in him, and his lords were astonied.” Daniel continued with the words, “and his countenance” which means “and his, Belshazzar’s, brightness, splendor and cheerfulness” “was changed in him” or “was altered within him, King Belshazzar”, “and his lords were astonied” which means “and his, King Belshazzar’s, magnates, princes and nobles existed as perplexed, confused and astonished”. Daniel shared how King “Belshazzar’s”, splendor and cheerfulness was altered, and his princes and nobles were confused. 

When we consider the words in this verse, we learn through Daniel how King “Belshazzar” reacted to the fact that his “wise men” were unable to tell him what the writing on the wall said  and the meaning of it. He became exceedingly frightened and his cheerful face was altered while his nobles were perplexed. God doesn’t always want to use extreme measures to draw us to Him,  so He gave His Son Jesus who died on the cross for the sins of all mankind and was raised from the dead three days later. When we put our faith and trust in Him, He will forgive our sins, grant us everlasting life put His Holy Spirit within us so we keep a beautiful “countenance” by knowing He is always in control.

Next time Daniel says, “the queen … came into the banquet house”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

See more devotionals on the website "thewordfortodaywithray.com" or look for the daily devotional book “Equipped for Battle – From Generation to Generation”, the marriage book “So, You Want to Be Married”, “One Year in the Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County" in all major bookstore sites, http://www.amazon.com ; http://www.barnesandnobles.com ; download to e-books, and find it locally at www.mrzlc.com/bookstore. All references are from "Strongs Concordance".