Scripture: Daniel 5:23
You have exalted yourself against the Lord of heaven! The vessels of his temple have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines have been drinking wine from them. You have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know; but the God in whose power is your very breath, and to whom belong all your ways, you have not honored.
Thought for the Day: Thomas Troeger, a great preacher and teacher of preachers (author of a couple of hymn texts in our hymnal), offered a sermon on this very text. He said, “At the core of our existence is an unending process of being gifted by God—in whose power is our very breath. And we are oblivious to it. We are like Balshazzar, who Daniel says has praised the gods of silver and gold…which do not see or hear or know, while the source of breath and pulse, the spendthrift lover of creation is never honored.” How do we blindly live our lives honoring that which has no ultimate power?
Prayer: Remind me, O Lord of all creation, how you are more than your handiwork. Let me give honor to you above all else. Amen.
