Do You See the Writing on the Wall?
Two things are equally infuriating:
1. When something bad happens and people tell you, “You should have seen the writing on the wall!”
2. When you actually did see it—and did nothing to act on the warning.
Today’s reading from Daniel shows exactly where this idiom comes from. King Belshazzar—arrogant and drunk—brought out the sacred vessels plundered from the Temple and used them in his feast. These weren’t ordinary cups; they were meant for worship. By doing this, he mocked God and asserted Babylon’s supremacy over Him.
At the height of his pride, a mysterious hand appears, writing Mene, Mene, Tekel, Parsin on the palace wall. No one could interpret it—until Daniel, a prophet and servant of God who had been held in Babylonian captivity since the siege of Jerusalem, was called in. Belshazzar had heard of his reputation for interpreting dreams and messages from God and turned to him to make sense of the mysterious writing.
Daniel explained:
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Mene – God has numbered your days; your kingdom will end
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Tekel – You have been weighed and found wanting
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Parsin/Peres – Your kingdom will be divided and given to others
That very night, it all came true. The writing on the wall isn’t just a saying—it’s a warning.
The Writing Is Already on the Wall Today
Our world is full of signs—if only we look. Many ignore them, pursue personal ambitions, or bury their heads in the sand, hoping the inevitable won’t arrive. Here are a few modern examples:
Artificial Intelligence – Both a figurative and literal revolution. Many are getting swept up in its marvels without grounding themselves in enduring Truth. When humans start relying on AI to think, create, and decide for them, we risk surrendering wisdom and discernment, letting machines make decisions that should be guided by God’s moral truth.
Self-determination over God-determination – Our culture increasingly prioritizes personal freedom, ambition, and desire over obedience and reverence to God. “Follow your own path” is celebrated, but societies that elevate self above God often collapse under pride, selfishness, and moral decay.
Following “Scientific Truth” over God’s Truth – Science provides incredible insights, but when it becomes a substitute for God’s Truth, it can justify choices that violate ethics and morality: manipulating life without regard for the Creator, redefining human dignity, or ignoring moral limits in the pursuit of progress. Elevating human knowledge above divine wisdom can lead to consequences that are irreversible.
Calls to Action
Don’t be the one who says, “I saw the writing on the wall and didn’t do anything to stop the dire consequences from reaching the point of no return.”
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Stay vigilant. Notice the signs in your life and in the world.
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Root yourself in God. Let His Truth guide your decisions, not convenience or fear.
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Act faithfully. Pray, speak, and make choices aligned with God’s will—even if it feels small.
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Trust His hand. God works all things for good, but we are called to cooperate, not ignore His warnings.
The writing is already on the wall. Seeing it is not enough. We must respond.
