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| MacArthur in Manila, Philippines c. 1945 (Source Wikipedia) |
Bible Reading: Daniel 5:17-30
Key Verse: Verse 22 - “And thou his son, O Belshazzar, hast not humbled thine heart, though thou knewest all this;”
Key Words: though thou knewest all this
Belshazzar had replaced Nebuchadnezzar as king of Babylon. The problem with Belshazzar was that he was young, arrogant, a know-it-all and stubborn. He had failed to learn from Nebuchadnezzar, “But when his [Nebuchadnezzar] heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him” (verse 20). “…thou knewest all this” (verse 22). But he had refused to learn from it.
Thus he lost his kingdom (verse 31). Belshazzar no doubt asked himself, “Why did I do that?” He who doesn’t learn from the mistakes (sins) of others is bound to repeat them.
Roland Hayes, a famous singer of years past, was scheduled to sing before the king and queen of England. Before the appointed time, he received a telegram from his mother which read: “Roland, remember who you are and who gave you the gift of voice and music.” Great advice! If one will remember this, they will seldom ever have to ask, “Why did I do that?”
When General Douglas MacArthur was asked, “What is the greatest quality of leadership?” He answered, “Selflessness.” Belshazzar would have done well to have understood that, and we would do well to remember it as well. It will keep us from having to ask, “Why did I do that?”
What to do:
✞ He who is selfless seldom will ask, “Why did I do that?”
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