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Brooksyne Weber
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Friday, August 19,
2022
The Reiff's Nursery &
Greenhouse is along the Buffalo Valley Rail Trail.
Click on photo to enlarge
"Weighed
And Found Wanting"
“But you did not honor the God who holds in
His hand your life and all your ways” (Daniel 5:23).
“Tekel: You’ve been weighed on the scales and found
wanting” (Daniel 5:27).
On Tuesday afternoon we walked
through Knoebel's Amusement Park and reminisced about the
time we would have found the rides adventuresome and
entertaining. But not so much anymore. As we left we
passed the Impulse, the scariest looking ride in the
entire park. I teased Brooksyne that maybe we should just
do it but we both know the likely consequences of the
jarring movements to our joints.Many of the rides have height restrictions but
now some rides wisely have weight restrictions as well.
That makes sense to us and probably most people,
especially in our increasingly obese society. But no
matter what you do you are going to offend somebody!
Adventure World in Perth, Australia, has been
accused of “fat shaming” visitors, after it introduced
what some called “humiliating” and “degrading” weighing
scales for its rides. The scales flash red if the rider
exceeds the weight limit! Perhaps a bit insensitive but it
would certainly more likely get the ride operator's
attention.
Today let us consider some scales that are far
more important but often overlooked. We should regularly
weigh-in "on the scales" of God’s Holy Word. I am not sure
how to apply this illustration in our own lives but the
Holy Scriptures do give an account of a man who had been
weighed on the scales and found wanting. Other versions
state “deficient” or “too light”.
In Daniel 5 King Belshazzar has a strange experience with a finger writing on a wall the inscription, “MENĒ, MENĒ, TEKĒL, UPHARSIN.” It was so distressing that “the king’s face grew pale and his thoughts alarmed him, and his hip joints went slack and his knees began knocking together” (Daniel 5:6). What an interesting description of fear!
He first summoned his own advisors who were unable to provide an interpretation so Daniel was called in. He demonstrates the characteristics of a true prophet, boldly and fearlessly speaking truth to power. In fact he refused to even accept the prize the king offered to whomever interpreted the meaning (5:17).
When Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall for Belshazzar he revealed a message Belshazzar didn’t like: "Tekel: You’ve been weighed on the scales and found wanting".
God revealed the king’s sins to Daniel, that he praised gods of silver and gold, gods that couldn’t see, hear or understand. At the heart of the problem is a stunning statement well considered by all. “But you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways” (Daniel 5:23).
In Daniel 5 King Belshazzar has a strange experience with a finger writing on a wall the inscription, “MENĒ, MENĒ, TEKĒL, UPHARSIN.” It was so distressing that “the king’s face grew pale and his thoughts alarmed him, and his hip joints went slack and his knees began knocking together” (Daniel 5:6). What an interesting description of fear!
He first summoned his own advisors who were unable to provide an interpretation so Daniel was called in. He demonstrates the characteristics of a true prophet, boldly and fearlessly speaking truth to power. In fact he refused to even accept the prize the king offered to whomever interpreted the meaning (5:17).
When Daniel interpreted the writing on the wall for Belshazzar he revealed a message Belshazzar didn’t like: "Tekel: You’ve been weighed on the scales and found wanting".
God revealed the king’s sins to Daniel, that he praised gods of silver and gold, gods that couldn’t see, hear or understand. At the heart of the problem is a stunning statement well considered by all. “But you did not honor the God who holds in His hand your life and all your ways” (Daniel 5:23).
Since he didn’t honor God his reign was put to
an end. “‘MENĒ’—God has numbered your kingdom and put
an end to it". This prophesy had no delay: “That
same night Belshazzar the Chaldean king was slain”
(v. 30).
How quickly the social order can change. We
wonder, looking at conditions in leadership today, when we
will again see a similar ‘MENĒ’ moment as King Belshazzar experienced.
On a personal level let us regularly weigh in and aspire not to be found wanting! When we weigh-in on the scales of Scripture let us consider God’s estimation as we prayerfully ask, “Am I conforming to the likeness of Christ?” The Scriptures will reveal our progress or lack thereof and we must respond accordingly. May we honor the God who holds in His hand our life and all our ways. Let us not be "weighed and found wanting".
Daily
prayer: Father, we thank You that
the veil was taken away when we left our
allegiance to this world and turned to
You. We, who now have unveiled
faces contemplate Your glory even as we
are being transformed into the image of
Christ with ever-increasing glory, which
comes from You. But even still our flesh
battles our spirit from day to day as we
travel through this life so we must
regularly weigh-in on the scales of Your
Holy Word to see where we are lacking.
We need regular perspective from Your
Holy Word, lest we form attitudes and
behaviors that reflect the pattern of
this world. We want to be transformed
daily by the renewing of our hearts and
minds through Christ Jesus that we might
be more and more like Him, for it is in
His name that we pray. Amen.See
2 Corinthians 3:16-18, Romans 12:2
Today's
Suggested Music and Supplemental
Resources
"Now
Here" Video Red
Rocks Worship Interesting lyrics,
nowhere to now here!
Today
we
share some more photos from our trip
earlier this week to north-central PA.
We
passed the The Sodom Octagon stone
schoolhouse in Northumberland County,
PA. It was used from the mid 1830's till
1915. It has an interesting name and
shape (interestingly, we posted octagon
wheels on a tractor planter yesterday)!
The name of the school may come from the
"Sodom Tavern" which did business in
nearby Montandon 1832–1855, or from the
hamlet of Sodom which was named by Lot
Carson, the owner of another tavern, who
died by falling down a well while drunk.
We rode
from Lewisburg to Mifflinburg and back on
the Buffalo Valley Rail
Trail.
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
The trail
runs alongside beautiful old farms many
now owned by old-order Mennonites.
This area
is in a severe drought and the corn
appeared to be quite thirsty.
Click on photo to enlarge
Click on photo to enlarge
A family of
seven climbed out of this buggy for ice
cream!
We were
already enjoying our treat as they lined
up at the ice cream window.
Click on photo to enlarge
A service
for any readers who may be in need of a
new buggy or service.
A lot of
old-order Mennonites from Lancaster County
have settled in this area.
Click on photo to enlarge
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Scripture references are from The Holy Bible: New International Version. © 1984 by International Bible Society; NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®, Copyright © 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, New King James Version (NKJV) Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. and the King James Version.
Personal Mission Statement: "I am created by God to bring Him glory. Through God's Son Jesus Christ I have been redeemed and make it my life's goal to please the Lord. My mission in life is to honor God through my faith and obedience and prepare myself and all whom I may influence for eternity."
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