Today's Scripture Reading (November 3, 2026): Daniel 5
Abraham Lincoln is thought to have said,
regarding the public opinion that surrounded his political career, that
If I were to try to read, much
less answer, all the attacks made on me, this shop might as well be closed for
any other business. I do the very best I know how — the very best I can; and I mean to keep
doing so until the end. If the end
brings me out all right, what's said against me won't amount to anything. If
the end brings me out wrong, ten angels swearing I was right would make no
difference. (Abraham Lincoln)
The
journalist Henry J. Raymond attributed the quote to Lincoln shortly after the
President was assassinated in 1865. The quote highlights what might be one of
the Civil War President's most important character traits (after his honesty):
his commitment to doing his best. At every step of the way, Lincoln did what he
believed was best. But the best was not always easy. There is no indication
that Lincoln wanted to be the President who would lead the nation through a
Civil War. However, Lincoln could not conceive of a nation that could exist as
both slave and free. Lincoln was convinced that slavery was wrong and that, if
he were going to do his best, he would have to stand against it. No matter what
public opinion thought of his actions, he could only do his best.
Lincoln's
desire to give everything he had to the presidency is one reason he is
consistently ranked among the top three Presidents of the United States,
despite having extremely low approval ratings during his presidency
(disapproval of his policies in the South contributed to those low ratings).
Still, even when he was wrong, he tried his best.
That
is what makes Belshazzar's story so tragic. Belshazzar's claim to fame is
presiding over the Babylonian Empire's demise. History tells the story of a
king who partied as his enemies entered the city. The enemy met little to no
resistance when they entered Babylon because Belshazzar wasn't doing his duty.
From a historical perspective, what is even worse is that he knew the Medes
were coming; his scouts had already informed him of their presence in the
empire and their approach to the city. Yet Belshazzar did nothing.
Biblically,
we have what is almost an absurd image. While the royal party raged, the king
was frightened by a vision, a literal instance of seeing the writing on the
wall. Daniel comes and interprets the writing. The news isn't good; the enemy
is coming (which Belshazzar already knew), but still Belshazzar makes no move.
The Babylonian king does nothing; there seems to be no "best" in
Belshazzar. Instead, he honors Daniel, raising him to the rank of the kingdom's
third-highest ruler, and then he continues the party, waiting for his death.
For
a time, the reason Daniel was made the third-highest ruler in the kingdom was a
mystery. But the mystery has been solved. Daniel was elevated to third-highest
ruler because Belshazzar appears to have been the second-highest ruler. The
ultimate ruler, Belshazzar's father, King Nabonidus, was still alive, so
Belshazzar was the crowned prince of Babylon and the empire's second-highest
authority. In fact, Nabonidus was doing his best in battle and sent his son a
message that the Persians were coming so his son could act, either fight or
flee. But instead of doing his best, Belshazzar decided to party – and
die.
Tomorrow's Scripture Reading: Daniel 6
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