The Ancient Of Days Is Still On His Throne

TITLE: THE ANCIENT OF DAYS IS STILL ON HIS THRONE

SCRIPTURE: ISAIAH 6:1 / PSALM 103:19 / DANIEL 7:13

++++The world is watching and will be watching what our nation will do on Tuesday as we go to the polls to elect our new nation’s leader. I am sure there is trepidation felt in each of us. Don’t pay too much attention to the POLITICAL PUNDITS, just get to the polls if you have not already done so, and let your voice be heard. Without your vote, the others who vote also decide about your life, and perhaps your freedoms.

• The system of democracy does not work without the voice of the people

• With abstention, you are not making a statement, and you allow the others what they want, so you cannot express a protest

• If you have not early voted – make your plan today on how you will get to the polls on Tuesday

++++I recall hearing a story some 30 years ago told by a Parent how their son came home from school wearing his "I VOTED" sticker and slumped into the chair. Their 6-year-old son, lover of all thing’s sports-related, had just “voted” for the first time in his ELEMENTARY SCHOOL’S MOCK ELECTION - vote for your FAVORITE TEAM SPORT. Apparently, his choice was not the most popular.

• “Hey Noah, did you get to vote today?" this parent asked

• "Yeah, I but didn't win," he answered with a defeated voice

• "Well, did you vote for what you believed in?"

• Quietly and slowly, still thinking it through, he responded, "Yes"

• "Were you willing to take a risk to stand up for what mattered most to you?"

• He pulled off the round sticker from his shirt and examined it from all sides, "Yes. (long, dramatic sigh)

• But, I still don't like losing"

++++In a few short days, close to half of our nation may relate to those feelings.

• It’s never easy to lose

• It's Discouraging

• It’s Disappointing

• You may feel defeated and wonder why it all didn't go your way

• Or why others didn’t see things the way you did

++++Nevertheless, many will celebrate election results on Tuesday and many others will not. Yet no matter which side of the race you have been on over these long months, this truth remains -

• Every time we are willing to have a voice, to take a stand for what we believe in, we “Win”

• And we can trust God with the results

• The enemy is at work more than ever during these times

• He will seek to divide believers and stir up strife and hate, over an election

++++Whenever we see division occur in the world, especially division that pits one group in society against another, we can affirm that THE DEVIL IS IN SOME WAY BEHIND IT. He wants us to destroy ourselves and hatred against other people is one of the fastest ways we become the AUTHORS OF OUR OWN DEMISE.

• It’s not politicians that divide us

• It’s not your political affiliation that divides us

• The devil, the adversary is behind it all

• Don’t be fooled

++++DON’T FALL FOR THAT TRAP. Whether it’s in election season or just daily life -

• We win when we do what God asks us to do

• We win when we are willing to live wisely

• We win every time we choose to obey His word to the very best of our ability

++++There’s great freedom there.

• Freedom from fear

• Freedom from worry

• Freedom from defeat

• Freedom from anger and hate

++++Let me remind us this morning, nothing has taken God by surprise. Never has, Never Will. Not ever. HE’S ON THE THRONE AND SOVEREIGN OVER ALL. He has a plan and is at work on behalf of His people, “FOR SUCH A TIME AS THIS.” ESTHER 4:14 --

• Our prayers matter

• Our voice matters

• We can choose to move forward from here with Grace

• We can choose to stay involved

• We can choose to have a voice

• We can choose to be engaged

• And maybe more than ever before, to make a difference in our nation

++++GOD IS NOT A GOD OF POLITICS. God is not a REPUBLICAN – DEMOCRAT - INDEPENDENT. To confine the God of the Universe to the petty entanglements of American politics is to reject the many attributes of a Supreme God who is OMNISCIENT – OMNIPOTENT – OMNIPRESENT.

• The Bible says -- HE IS ABOVE ALL THINGS, AND THAT HIS WAYS ARE HIGHER THAN OUR WAYS

++++Our nation is in a time of crisis not unlike the crisis the NATION OF ISRAEL was facing in the book of ISAIAH. They had compromised and become corrupted because of their sinful rebellion against God. God raised up Isaiah to confront them and plead with them to REPENT IN ORDER TO AVERT HIS COMING JUDGMENT.