This morning I continue my study of the word “found” and was led to a passage in the book of Daniel. Here Daniel was brought in by Belshazzar to read and interpret some writings that his “scholars” were not able. And read and interpret them he did.
Looking to know everything is a great quality to have and demonstrates a desire to understand and apply this learning into any future work to be done. And where it is great, it does not always work out the way it was intended. Sometimes what is found does not measure up to the expectation and will present a negative outcome that some are not prepared nor desire to know. Belshazzar wanted to know that which was contained in the writings, although not fully sure he was prepared for what was found/revealed.
“22And you his son, Belshazzar, have not humbled your heart, though you knew all this, 23but you have lifted up yourself against the Lord of heaven. And the vessels of his house have been brought in before you, and you and your lords, your wives, and your concubines have drunk wine from them. And you have praised the gods of silver and gold, of bronze, iron, wood, and stone, which do not see or hear or know, but the God in whose hand is your breath, and whose are all your ways, you have not honored…26This is the interpretation of the matter: MENE, God has numbered the days of your kingdom and brought it to an end; 27TEKEL, you have been weighed in the balances and found wanting; 28PERES, your kingdom is divided and given to the Medes and Persians.” — Daniel 5:22-23, 26-28 (ESV)
Hard truths were revealed by Daniel. Some of them were “known” as noted by Daniel, and others were new learning that was difficult to take when listening. These are the things that we have to be careful of when we go seeking to find something. It is not always that which we were looking for and in a lot of cases, although we would not want to admit it, what is found to be contrary to what we were seeking.
Where I am a sinner like you and not a theologian, I do not claim to know exactly what Belshazzar was seeking in the writings, I am sure that he was taken aback at what Daniel revealed as was MENE and TEKEL and PERES. I am sure that there was some shaking of heads and denials that where exclaimed at hearing something that was not wanted. Yet, again, as Jesus said,
“7Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you.” — Matthew 7:7 (ESV)
Belshazzar exhibited a quality that we all should have when it comes to learning and knowing and that is to seek out. We should all look to know and in doing so what we learn may not always be that which we wanted to hear. We have to remember the purpose of the seeking was to learn and know as opposed to getting the information we were expecting.
When seeking, what you hoping to find? Are you only interested in that which you interpret as a positive? What if you were to seek to find and celebrate the finding, knowing that it may not always be that which you were seeking?
Trevor's Thoughts 