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“The handwriting is on the wall!” This expression is often used in connection with business bankruptcies, political defeats, or even the human race facing disaster because of global warming or Covid-19. Did you ever wonder about the origin of the expression?
King Belshazzar, who ruled over Babylon from 556 to 539 B.C., decided to host a great feast. He invited a thousand of his noble men. They were drinking wine out of the golden and silver vessels which the king had taken from the temple of God at Jerusalem. The very vessels that were to be used in service to God. While they drank, they praised their gods of gold, silver, brass, and iron, wood and stone. As the feasting progressed, suddenly the fingers of a man’s hand wrote on the wall.
The king became extremely agitated. He was very troubled by this strange event. Astrologers and wise men were called to interpret the writing on the wall, but no one could. Eventually, a Hebrew slave by the name of Daniel was found who read, “God has numbered your kingdom, and finished it… You have been weighed in the balances and found wanting” (Daniel 5:26-27). King Belshazzar was warned by God that his reign was over and sure enough later that night he was killed.
Some may have the attitude: “Let’s eat, drink and be merry, for tomorrow we die.” But many realize that as far as humankind is concerned, the handwriting is on the wall. Collectively and individually, we have been weighed in the balances of God and found wanting. This is not our good deeds measured against our bad, but our sin against God’s absolute righteousness. We are condemned already. “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).
The Bible teaches there is deliverance from this condemnation. “God did not send His Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through Him might be saved” (John 3:17). Through faith in the completed work of the Lord Jesus at the cross of Calvary, we can be accepted by God. “Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to His mercy He saved us” (Titus 3:5). Yes! We are no longer found wanting! Pay attention to the handwriting on the wall and prepare to meet God.
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