Daniel 5:22-23

Daniel 5:22-23 (ESV): “22 And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23 but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven...”

We are accountable to God for what we know (James 4:17). Jesus said, “Everyone to whom much was given, of him much will be required, and from him to whom they entrusted much, they will demand the more” (Luke 12:48). Everyone will answer for what they did with the truth they were given.

After Nebuchadnezzar died, his son Belshazzar took over the reins of Babylon. He did not humble his heart, even though he knew all that had occurred with his father by the hand of the Lord. He became accountable for the knowledge he had gained by observing his father. Yet he worshiped the gods of silver and gold and defiled the vessels from God’s Temple. As a result, he was judged, and the Babylonian kingdom was given to the Medes and Persians—just as had been prophesied to him and his father.

What information about God have you been given? Everyone knows there is a God—it is written on our hearts. However, each of us will be judged individually based on the knowledge we possess. Those who have grown up hearing the Word of God will be more accountable than someone who knows very little about Him. That’s why James encourages us not to be hearers of the Word only, but doers also (James 1:22–25). Apply what you know! Amen?

Father, we thank You for continually revealing Yourself to us. Help us to live out what we’ve been given. Let us not be hearers only, but doers of Your Word. We pray this in Jesus’ name, amen.