Daily Encouragement

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"

Message summary: 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".

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“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).

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".

Be encouraged today, (Hebrews 3:13)

Stephen & Brooksyne Weber

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

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

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.

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