"AND YOU HAVE LIFTED YOURSELF UP AGAINST THE LORD OF HEAVEN. They have brought the vessels of His house before you, and you and your lords, your wives and your concubines, have drunk wine from them. AND YOU HAVE PRAISED THE gods OF SILVER AND GOLD, BRONZE AND IRON, WOOD AND STONE, WHICH DO NOT SEE OR HEAR OR KNOW; AND THE GOD WHO HOLDS YOUR BREATH IN HIS HAND AND OWNS ALL YOUR WAYS, YOU HAVE NOT GLORIFIED."
Daniel 5:23 (NKJV)
Comment: Whatever is dedicated for the Use of God should no longer be used for another purpose again. God is holy and great, He is not anyone's equal or mate.
Belshazzar the king did not know his level or limit.
Whatever level you attained, you should not be intoxicated by it. No matter your attainments in life, you should know that God is supreme. Whatever is dedicated to Him should not be tampered with and be used for the self purpose.
This successor of Nebuchadnezzar who had the opportunity of learning a number of things through the life of Nebuchadnezzar, mistakes made by Nebuchadnezzar, instead, he repeated the mistake of his predecessor, he started treading the path of arrogancy or pompousness that was the bane of his predecessor—Nebuchadnezzar.
Whoever is great and would not acknowledge the greatness of God would end with ignominy—disgrace or public shame and dishonour.
As a believer in Christ Jesus, you should always have it in your mind that God is the reason for whatever you do right—your successes.
NOTE:
a. If things are working for you, God is the reason.
b. If you are raised or promoted or lifted in your work, God is the reason.
c. Whatever good thing you experience or you are enjoying, God is the reason.
This is the reason why the glory must be ascribed to Him. Daniel's words to Belshazzar the king, in our text: " . . . THE GOD WHO HOLDS YOUR BREATH IN HIS HAND AND OWNS ALL YOUR WAYS, YOU HAVE NOT GLORIFIED" (Daniel 5:23).
God decreed that there should be an end to the reign of Belshazzar because of despise, he did not honour and glorify the God Who enthroned him:
26 THIS IS THE INTERPRETATION OF EACH WORD. MENE: GOD HAS NUMBERED YOUR KINGDOM, AND FINISHED IT; 27 TEKEL: YOU HAVE BEEN WEIGHED IN THE BALANCES, AND FOUND WANTING; 28 PERES: YOUR KINGDOM HAS BEEN DIVIDED, AND GIVEN TO THE MEDES AND PERSIANS" " (Daniel 5:26-28 NKJV).
Whoever is in a position of power should know that power is transient. You are there today, you might not be there tomorrow:
30 THAT VERY NIGHT BELSHAZZAR, KING OF THE BABYLONIANS, WAS SLAIN, 31 AND DARIUS THE MEDE TOOK OVER THE KINGDOM, AT THE AGE OF SIXTY-TWO" (Daniel 5:30,31 NKJV).
Thus, you should acknowledge the God of heaven Who is always there; the same yesterday, today, and forever (Hebrews 13:8).
The self existing God Who never grows old. He cannot be dethroned or replaced. His years will never end:
10 AND: “YOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH, AND THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORK OF YOUR HANDS. 11 THEY WILL PERISH, BUT YOU REMAIN; And they will all grow old like a garment; 12 Like a cloak You will fold them up, And they will be changed. BUT YOU ARE THE SAME, AND YOUR YEARS WILL NOT FAIL [end]" " (Hebrews 1:10-12 NKJV).
Peace!