S – ²⁶ This is the interpretation of the message: 

‘Mene’ means that God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end. 

²⁷ ‘Tekel’ means that you have been weighed on the balance and found deficient. 

²⁸ ‘Peres’^, means that your kingdom has been divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” 

Daniel  5:26–28 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Then Daniel proceeded to interpret the meaning of these words. He explained that Mene meant that God had numbered (menâh) the duration of the days of Belshazzar’s kingdom and was about to bring it to an end. Tekel meant that Belshazzar had been evaluated by God, weighed (teqîltâh, from teqāl) in a balance and had been found wanting, that is, he was too light. A balance was the normal device used in weighing payments. A payment was to meet a certain standard so if it did not meet that standard, it was rejected as unacceptable. Belshazzar’s moral and spiritual character did not measure up to the standard of God’s righteousness so he was rejected. “By Him [God] deeds are weighed (1 Sam. 2:3).

“Daniel,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures,

A – What does it mean that God found him wanting?  He was too light.  I do not want to be “too light” in my approach to God or in the way I am living out His purpose in my life.  All of us are in the same journey as the king.  Our days are numbered, we will be judged and either we are going to enjoy relationship with Him or rejected into separation from God.

R – Lord, I am not perfect but I want to live each day in a growing relationship with you.  Whatever your plans and purpose for me, I surrender my will to you.  I want each day to matter – making an impact on those around me.  Thank you, God, for you Holy Spirit to help guide and strengthen me each day.