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.

S – Now I, Nebuchadnezzar, praise, exalt, and glorify the King of the heavens, because all his works are true and his ways are just. He is able to humble those who walk in pride

Daniel 4:37 CSB

O – Commentary:

The king’s acknowledgment of God’s right to rule (vv. 34–35) brought about the restoration of the king’s sanity (cf. v. 34) and a restoration to his throne. Having been humbled before God, Nebuchadnezzar rose to greater heights of honor than he had known when he walked in pride. He said he praised, exalted, and glorified the King of heaven (cf. “honored” and “glorified” in v. 34). These verbs indicate continued action, suggesting that Nebuchadnezzar did these things habitually. These verbs embody the ideas of reverence, respect, honor, admiration, and worship.

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

A – The most “powerful” man on earth at the time of the writing recognizes that God is King of Heaven.  He ascribes glory to God.  We should do the same.  He is still the King of Heaven.  We need to lose our pride, walk in humility and bring honor to God daily.

R – Lord, thank you for the opportunity to exalt your name.  You alone are worthy of our praise, honor and reverence.  You have blessed us with so much.  You provide your presence to be with us each day and to walk in your power.  Thank you for another day with you.

S – If the God we serve exists, then he can rescue us from the furnace of blazing fire, and he can rescue us from the power of you, the king. ¹⁸ But even if he does not rescue us, we want you as king to know that we will not serve your gods or worship the gold statue you set up.” 

Daniel 3:17–18 CSB

O – Commentary:  

The three showed absolute confidence in God, stating that their God was greater than Nebuchadnezzar and was able to deliver them from Nebuchadnezzar’s judgment in a display of His superior power. Their words, the God we serve (cf. 6:16, 20), show they recognized that God’s authority was greater than the authority claimed by Nebuchadnezzar. Though they were employed by Nebuchadnezzar (2:49), they “served” Yahweh.

Their God demanded implicit obedience and had forbidden them to worship any other gods. One who obeys God is not presuming when he expects God to protect and deliver him. Obeying God was more important than life to these three, so if God chose not to deliver them, they would still obey Him

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

A – When is the last time your faith cost you something?  These three were kidnapped, trained in foreign education and culture, used for foreign leadership and exposed to gods they didn’t believe to be true.  Yet, they did this while maintaining a strong faith in God.  So much they would die before disobeying Him.  This is the faith that I want. 

R – Lord, you are true.  You are worthy of our praise, honor and obedience today.  There is a price that comes with serving you.  Whatever the cost, give me the strength and courage to be faithful to you.  There is nothing greater than you.

S – Your Majesty, while you were in your bed, thoughts came to your mind about what will happen in the future.^, The revealer of mysteries has let you know what will happen.

Daniel 2:29 CSB

O – Commentary:

Daniel asserted at the outset that the king’s dream was prophetic (cf. v. 45, “what will take place in the future”), about things to come and what was going to happen. Nebuchadnezzar’s dream covered the prophetic panorama of Gentile history from his time till the forthcoming subjugation of Gentile powers to Israel’s Messiah. This time period is called “the times of the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24). This dream was given to Nebuchadnezzar, the first of many Gentile rulers who would exert power by divine appointment during the times of the Gentiles. God was not revealing spiritual truth to Nebuchadnezzar but facts concerning the political dominion that Gentiles would exercise. Everything in the dream would be readily understandable to Nebuchadnezzar.

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

A – God is the revealer of mysteries.  In our own life, there are “mysteries.”  We have things that are important to us and God chooses to reveal or not reveal is for our benefit.  

The secret things belong to the Lord our God, but the things revealed belong to us and to our children forever, that we may follow all the words of this law.

Deuteronomy 29:29 CSB

R – Lord, thank you for another day with you.  In our challenge to navigate each day, reveal to us the mysteries we need to know so we can use them as foundations for a better relationship with you and others.  What you choose to not reveal, we accept your sovereignty and love for us to keep it hidden.  You are God and we put our faith and trust in you either way.  

 S – God gave these four young men knowledge and understanding in every kind of literature and wisdom. Daniel also understood visions and dreams of every kind

Daniel 1:17 CSB

O – As these four men honored God, God gave these men exceptional abilities that would be used by the king and grant them favor.  Daniel’s ability to understand dreams will elevate his worth even more.  It is also an indicator of future prophecy he will do later in the book.  

A – We should continue to ask God to increase our knowledge and understanding each day.  Also, we want to elevate our spiritual gifts so the Lord can use us to grow others in their relationship with God.

R – Lord, we want to grow today.  In knowledge, wisdom and understanding.  We also want to grow in our spiritual gifts so we can be a blessing to You and others.  Give us opportunities to use these gifts.  Like our natural muscles, help us get stronger by being used by you in a way that challenges us.  Thank you for using us to fulfill your purposes.

S – Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.

Matthew 28:18 CSB

O – Authority: ĕxŏusia,  privilege, i.e. (subj.) force, capacity, competency, freedom, or (obj.) mastery; delegated influence:— authority, jurisdiction, liberty, power, right, strength.

The New Strong’s Dictionary of Hebrew and Greek Words 

Jesus states that all power and influence has been given to him in heaven (God’s realm) and earth (satan’s realm). 

A – It is an important principle to understand that Jesus has all authority because of the victory of the cross.  It gives us the foundation to grow in our faith and to stand on His Word as truth.  It gives us the confidence that God is limitless and has no peer/rival.

R – Lord, there is nothing that compares to you.  Jesus claimed all authority through his crucifixion, death and resurrection.  I want to walk in your authority as your child to accomplish what you have for me today.  Let me walk in humility, courage and confidence demonstrating love for You and others.

S – About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out with a loud voice, “Elí, Elí, lemá sabachtháni?” that is, “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me?”

 Christian Standard Bible (Nashville, TN: Holman Bible Publishers, 2020), Mt 27:46.

O – Commentary: Here Jesus quotes Psalm 22:1, which may have been part of the Scripture recitation at this time of day. His opponents do not pause to consider that the psalm ends with the sufferer’s vindication and triumph (Ps 22:25–31).

The IVP Bible Background Commentary: New Testament, Second Edition.

A –  Jesus experienced what it means to be forsaken by God.  Yet, Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never, never leave you nor forsake you.”  His sacrifice means we do not have to experience what it means to be separated from God.  We have a choice – He has done His part.

R – Lord, I am grateful for the cross and Jesus’ crucifixion.  In taking my sin, He allows me to be in a relationship with You.  Thank you for the forgiveness of my sins through the blood of Christ.  I choose to walk under the direction of the Holy Spirit today. 

S – Going a little farther, he fell facedown and prayed, “My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from me. Yet not as I will, but as you will.

Matthew 26:39 CSB

O – Jesus asks if there is a possibility of another way to fulfill the plan.  But, He surrenders to God’s will and not his human one.

A – This verse shows the pain of humanity in serving a holy God.  God has a will and purpose that far exceeds our understanding.  Fulfilling that plan usually contradicts our human nature for self-preservation and comfort.  In surrendering our will to His will, we have to make conscious choices that line up with God and not our desires.  It is worth it.

R – Lord, I surrender my will to yours today.  I invite your Holy Spirit to empower me with the strength, tenacity and courage to do this.  I ask that in doing this you will be glorified and I will grow in my understanding of what my purpose is.  

S – And the King will answer them, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me

Matthew 25:40 CSB

O – Whatever you do for those less fortunate than you, you did unto God.  That person is God’s creation and made in His image.  You are blessing an extension of God.

A – We should ascribe value to all people, corporately and individually.  When we disregard or diminish someone for any reason, we are not demonstrating God’s value that He put on them.  The same value He puts on us.  Going back to the two greatest commandments – Love God, Love People.  In fulfilling those commandments, we open ourselves to do the things for others that the Holy Spirit leads us to do.

R – Lord, I am humbled and grateful for the immeasurable value you put on me.  So much, that your son died on the cross to pay for my sins and establish our relationship.  Give me your lens as I interact with people today.  Then, give me the courage to take action on your promptings.  Let me bring glory to your name in our relationship and with others.

S – Blessed is that servant whom the master finds doing his job when he comes.

Matthew 24:46 CSB

O – Commentary: 

The coming of the Lord will be a test of servants. As the master in Jesus’ story entrusted all his possessions to his servant, so God has entrusted the care of all things in this earth to His servants. The responses of the servants are indications of their inward conditions. The Lord wants to find His servants, like the first steward, faithfully carrying out His will (vv. 45–46). Such a servant will be rewarded for his faithful service when the Lord returns 

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

A – The second coming of Christ is the theme of this chapter.  As long as I have been a Christian, people have discussed and argued about it.  This verse is where my foundation.  I will live each day as if Christ is coming back today.  I am not perfect but I want to be faithful and taking step towards God.

R – Lord, I invite you into today.  Even when I am not sure what today holds, I know I want you to be with me in it.  Let me live in a way that you would be pleased.  I surrender to your will and purpose for me today.  Let me bring you glory in all that I say and do.