Most people have probably heard comedian Kathy Griffin's sacrilegious comments about Jesus at the Creative Arts Emmy Awards on Saturday night. I read an outstanding response by a FOX News correspondent, Lauren Green, who explains why Kathy Griffin was wrong -- and why Jesus had everything to do with Griffin's award. Read it here. In short, Green shows how Griffin's award is a direct result of America's freedoms, which are a direct result of Jesus. 

Kathy Griffin's comments reminded me of a story in the book of Daniel, when King Nebuchadnezzar considers the splendor of his Babylonian kingdom and, in his heart, exalts himself, saying: 

"Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?" (Daniel 4:30).

Because the king gives all the credit to himself, God humbles the king by making him live like an animal for a time, until he recognizes that his sovereignty was given to him by the only true Sovereign, God Most High.

But, later, one of Nebuchadnezzar's successors, Belshazzar, forgets the lesson learned by his predecessor and fails to show honor to God. Belshazzar holds a wild party, drinking wine from gold vessels taken from God's holy temple. So, Belshazzar, too, faces judgment from God, announced by a mysterious handwriting that appears on a wall. (Read the story here.) But what strikes me is God's reasoning for judging Belshazzar:

"But the God in whose hand are your life-breath and your ways, you have not glorified." (Daniel 5:23).

Belshazzar was insulting the God who held Belshazzar's life in His very hands. Everything Belshazzar had was a gift from God -- even his next breath. God could pull the plug at any time.

We must remember the same thing. To me, it's comforting to know that my every breath, my every step are in God's hands. Yet, while comforting us, this knowledge should also strike reverence in our hearts toward God.

Lauren Green explained how the freedom God has given to America allowed Kathy Griffin to win her award. But it goes beyond that. Kathy Griffin's next breath is in God's hands. Hopefully, she'll realize this before the ultimate judgment -- at the throne of God.