My buddy and I designed a super cool chemistry project for the science fair. After hours of research in a local college library, and hounding our teacher to purchase specialized chemicals (some quite expensive), we produced a form of invisible ink. We painted one chemical solution on a card, sprayed it with the master solution, and within minutes brush strokes appeared. Using different recipes we produced various colors. Cleverly, we entitled the project, “Painting with Precipitates.”

I sauntered into class a day before the science fair to find my lab partner bursting with wild anticipation. A few minutes earlier, in large block letters, he painted a message on the back wall of our chemistry room. Right as class started, he sprayed his art with our master solution. Within five minutes, in brilliant technicolor, the king of profanity emerged from our sorcery—the F-WORD.

For the first time I understood how much latent fury lay in normally mild-mannered people. Our chemistry teacher, one of the finest teachers I ever sat under in all my educational experiences, first peered at the back of the room, then grew as red as that word on the wall. I had no idea he knew all the profanity he sputtered as he determined who committed this desecration of his lab. With all the fingers of our fellow young chemists pointing at us, my buddy and I turned toward his anger. Beware the wrath of a patient man.

King Belshazzar also read writing on a wall. In his case, words not written by cocky high school boys, but by the hand of God. Belshazzar stood condemned before the God of heaven. Belshazzar’s father, king Nebuchadnezzar, left these words about the Lord in the official records of the kingdom:

He does as he pleases with the powers of heaven and the people of the earth. No one can hold back his hand or say to him: “What have you done?”

Belshazzar ignored official records, and took pleasure in profaning articles looted from the temple in Jerusalem. In his massive pride he set himself up against the Lord of heaven. And so the Lord sent a message. Belshazzar lost his kingdom, and died that very night.

My friend and I learned a clear lesson about mocking our teacher. After lots of fast talking, and begging, and whining, and wall-scrubbing, this forgiving educator released us back into our own ignorance—chastened and a tiny bit wiser.

Mocking the Living God carries consequences. Graciously, the Lord provides plenty of opportunities to turn back to Him. Just remember, when the writing appears on the wall, it might be too late.

Daniel 5 in week forty-six of reading the Bible cover to cover

Photo by Louis Reed