Daniel 5:1–31 presents one of Scripture’s most dramatic moments: the handwriting on the wall in Babylon’s royal palace, signaling that the party was over. King Belshazzar drinks from the sacred vessels taken from God’s temple, praising idols of gold, silver, and stone—unaware that his kingdom teeters on the brink of collapse. Pride meets divine judgment as Daniel, now an elderly prophet, stands before the king to declare the inevitable: “You have been weighed in the balance and found wanting.” No fortress, wealth, or power can shield a heart that defies God.

Though set in ancient Babylon, this story speaks to every generation. We live in a world that often mocks God while glorifying human ambition. Like Belshazzar, nations and hearts that exalt themselves above heaven’s authority will one day confront the truth written by an unseen hand. This sobering chapter highlights God’s unchanging sovereignty, the dangers of pride, and the certainty that every kingdom built on arrogance will ultimately fall.

Yet even in judgment, there is mercy—a call to humility before the Lord who reigns over all. Daniel 5 challenges us to examine our own hearts, to turn from self-exaltation, and to trust the God who measures the proud and lifts up the humble. How might recognizing God’s sovereignty shape the way you lead, serve, and live in a world that often glorifies pride?