January 2024 - Groundhog Year?

In a 1948 speech to the British House of Commons, Winston Churchill is reported to have famously quipped, “Those that fail to learn from history are doomed to repeat it.” He was spot on. History has a funny way of repeating itself. Probably more accurately and closer to the bone, human beings have a tendency to repeat the mistakes of previous generations. In our folly we too often fall into the trap of what C.S Lewis dubbed chronological snobbery. We mistakenly think that we are somehow more sophisticated and cleverer than our forefathers. However, although the calendar may move forward and technology may advance the human heart remains rigidly and proudly the same.

Here’s some questions for us to mull over at the threshold of a new year. What did the past year teach us? What did we learn both positively and negatively? What did we learn as a country? What did we learn as a church? What might we be doomed to repeat in 2024?

As we step into Daniel 5, we meet Nebuchadnezzar’s son Belshazzar (v.2). It turns out he’s just as headstrong as his dad. Truly the apple has not fallen far from the Babylonian tree. Here’s the key to the whole chapter - will he learn the lessons that God taught his father? It’s not like he hadn’t heard of his Father’s life for he knew all this (v.22). Will he learn from the mistakes of his father or is it a case of Groundhog Day?

What lessons does Daniel 5 hold for us?

God’s honour won’t be mocked! (5:1-12)

Belshazzar throws a feast to flaunt his power (notice how the list of his closets guests is repeated twice at & 5:2 & 5:23). He uses the vessels taken from the temple in Jerusalem and what’s worse he treats them as gods! What an insult to the living God! With the feast in full flow writing appears on the wall (so that’s where that phrase comes from!) Notice the eyewitness details. What appears are the fingers of a human hand (5:5) opposite the lamp stand (5:5). In response the king’s face colour changed (5:6). What will the King do? It’s not a puzzle that can be solved by the Chaldeans and astrologers (5:8). However, the Queen remembers a man called Daniel from the days of his Father’s reign. It’s funny that they would have forgotten about him for he is (or certainly was) chief of the astrologers. Can he interpret the message?

God’s favour can’t be bought! (5:13-31)

The King summons Daniel and offers him a handsome prize if he can offer the interpretation. It’s quite the bounty on offer when you consider it. Purple, a chain of gold and third ruler in the Kingdom is on the table. However, Daniel isn’t interested. The LORD can’t be bartered with. He will do it anyway, but firstly he offers him a history lesson. The LORD gave his Father the Kingdom. The LORD humbled him and he responded rightly to the God who is above all things. Belshazzar is being offered the same choice by the LORD who gives him his very breath (5:23). Will Belshazzar learn the lesson of recent history? It’s interesting that having given the interpretation the King proceeds to ignore Daniel’s request and offer the bounty. Does the King think he can curry God’s favour by showering his servant Daniel with pleasantries and niceties instead of humbling himself? I think that’s what we are to understand. Like Father not like son. That very night he killed and his Kingdom, just as was written on the wall, was given to the Darius. Will we bow the knee humbly before the Lord?

As we shake our heads at the new King on the Babylonian block we can’t help but contrast him to God’s true King Jesus. The King who was marked by humility not pride. The King who also drank a cup but not one which toasted his fame but one that was God’s wrath against his people’s sin. Truly he is the King over whom God declared NON MENE MENE, NON TEKEL, NON PARSIN! Your Kingdom will not end; you have not been found wanting but have been found righteous, and I will not give away your Kingdom to another but give you a Kingdom that cannot be shaken.

So, what did the past year teach us? What is your main spiritual ambition for the year ahead? What are you praying for our church family? In all that lies ahead of us this year may it be one that is marked by us prayerfully declaring our radical dependence on our heavenly Father! Spiritual maturity isn’t gradually realising that we need Jesus less! It’s learning that we need Jesus more!

In the words of Timothy Dudley-Smith:

‘Lord, for the years your love has kept and guided,

urged and inspired us, cheered us on our way,

sought us and saved us, pardoned and provided:

Lord of the years, we bring our thanks today.’