[303 words]
In Daniel chapter 5, we read about how a man was stripped of his blessings. The man’s name was Belshazzar, one of the rulers of ancient Babylon. This fellow was rich and powerful. As is often the case with those born rich, he was arrogant and irreligious.
One night, Belshazzar was partying and getting drunk. He and his friends were profaning Jehovah God. Then a frightening event occurred. A hand appeared and wrote a message on the wall. It was a message of judgment. No one could read and understand the message but Daniel the prophet.
Daniel told the king that he would lose everything, Then, Daniel made this judgment plain with these words: “you did not honor the God who holds in his hand your life and all your ways” (Daniel 5:23b).
Americans were given much yet in one short month things have come crashing down due to the Covid-19 virus. People have died. Many have lost their jobs. The economy has tanked. Retirement funds dropped to almost nothing. We saw people act with mob mentality as they stockpiled anything from toilet paper to food and medicine. Some citizens were arming themselves in case the mobs became riots.
Make no mistake about it, the coronavirus is an evil thing. But, might I suggest that the Lord is using this virus to remind the irreligious of our nation that He is still in control. Could it be that God is saying: “You were rich and healthy and powerful, but you did not honor the God who gave you these blessings?”
I know that if our nation will turn back to God; then, He will bless us once again (2 Chronicles 7:14). Likewise, if we, as individuals, will turn our hearts to the Lord, we will be blessed (Acts 3:19).
Larry Fitzgerald
Woodlawn church of Christ
Abilene, TX