Holding your Breath

In Spanish we say, “no tiene pelos en la lengua” which has the rather odd literal translation of, “he has no hair on his tongue”! It refers to a person who says things like they are, more or less the equivalent of “not mincing one’s words”.
At any rate, that would seem to describe an elderly Daniel fairly well, especially as he talks to the wicked king Belshazzar. A paraphrase would be, “You have used God’s temple utensils for a blasphemous party, knowing very well what He did to your proud grandfather many years ago. Now, He who holds your breath in His hand has had it. You are in major trouble.”
What a phrase! “He who holds your breath in His hand.”
In Genesis 2, God breathed the breath of life into man’s nostrils, but He did not relinquish ownership of it nor authority over it.
Modern man, from the poorest to the most powerful ones in world politics, tends to think his breath is a personal possession. Day after day we see the authorities speak with cocky assurance about their plans and goals. There seems to be little doubt in their minds that their breath is guaranteed for tomorrow.
Belshazzar thought so too, until the hand appeared.
We live in special times and may soon witness events that could parallel stories like this one in Daniel 5.
Meanwhile, let’s use our breath to honor God every moment we are awake