A Big Deal

That very night Belshazzar, the Babylonian king, was killed. [Daniel 5.30]

Why? What's the big deal? Belshazzar endangered himself by proudly defying God using God's holy Temple cups in an unholy manner. These cups, at some previous time, had been dedicated unto the LORD as holy.

As was stated in A Serious Implication, 

God's holiness is dangerous to anyone not purified by the proper sacrifices and rituals.

For this reason, Belshazzar died.

Holiness is a big deal. And, this is precisely why idols MUST be identified and removed from our lives. God is not at all tolerant of mixing His holiness with idols (in this case idols of silver, gold, bronze, iron, wood, and stone). Belshazzar and his people were ceremoniously drinking wine celebrating these gods using God Almighty's cups. Their "faith" was mixed - something God is absolutely intolerant of.

You must not have any other god but me. [Exodus 20.3]

For this reason, God's people should never include the idols of debt, insurance, medicine and technology in their worship of God. Nor should they justify their dependence upon these idols saying, "God uses them!" 

Father, help us to be mindful of Your holiness in all we do. May our lives reflect the fact that You are holy and may we be set apart as we reflect that!