Ancient of Days

 Day 22: Ancient of Days

The name Ancient of Days is found 4 times in the Old Testament. Three of those are in the book of Daniel. Y’all know about Daniel. He was carried off as a teenager as a captive foreign to a  pagan nation and he chose to remember who He was and who His God was. He did not conform to the Babylonian culture or religion. God blessed Daniel amazingly and allowed him to serve under several kings. He was a prophet, a dream interpreter, he prayed and worshiped, and God protected him and blessed him with knowledge and wisdom over and over again. He prophesied a lot about what was to come. In Daniel 7, he is prophesying about 4 kingdoms that will take over the earth, 3 happened very quickly but one is still to come. But throughout all those take-overs, there is One who really stays on the throne. All the power of this world is limited. 

There is a reason we are drawn to movies like the Marvel movies. There actually is always a tension to be the most powerful in the world, in the universe. There is always a hope for a ruler that is stronger that is good and not evil. There is always a hope that the good, strong hero will win. These movies are not far from reality. Daniel 7 tells us and reminds us that the Ancient of Days is on His throne. Throughout the world take overs, He is seated. There is a time when He will chose to show His power to the earth and it will be done. The power of our God is matchless. Our enemy is working hard because He knows His time is limited. He will not reign forever so He will make as much trouble as He can for now. Do not be deceived that we cannot win these battles: He who is in us is greater than the one who is in this world. I John 4:4 Look at the power and authority of the Ancient of Days:

Daniel 7:9-

As I looked, 

Thrones were placed, and the Ancient of Days took his seat;

His clothing was white as snow,

And the hair of his head like pure wool;

His throne was fiery flames;

Its wheels were burning fire.

A steam of fire issued and came out from before him;

A thousand thousands served him, 

And ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him;

The court sat in judgement, and the books were opened.

I looked then because of the sound of the great words that the horn was speaking. And as I looked, the beast was killed, and its body five over to be burned with fire. As for the rest of the beasts, their dominion was taken away, but their lives were prolonged for a season and a time. 

I say in the night visions, 

And behold, with the clouds of heaven there came one like a son of man,

And he came to the Ancient of Days and was presented before him.

And to him was given dominion and glory and a kingdom,

That all peoples, nations and languages should serve him;

His dominion is an everlasting dominion, 

Which shall not pass away, 

And his kingdom one that shall not be destroyed. 

Remember when Jesus said: 

John 16:33

I have said these tings to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.

When I read those things in Daniel, that’s what I hear in my soul. Life down here on earth is hard, there are wars on a global scale and there are wars in our own homes, shoot there are wars in our own minds. The only hope we have, the only hope we have for peace, is to know the Prince of Peace. How can Jesus be the Prince of Peace? He knows the whole story. From the story of the whole world to the story of our hearts:

Psalm 19 opens with

The heavens declare the glory of God, 

And the sky above proclaims his handiwork.

And ends with

Let the words of my mouth and the mediations of my heart be acceptable in your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer. 

The God of the Heavens, the God of the whole world, can still see and know my heart, can still be my rock, my security and my redeemer, the one who saves me. 

Between these amazing pictures of who God is 5 verses about how God helps us: listen:

Psalm 19:7-11

The law of the Lord is perfect, 

Reviving the soul;

The testimony of the Lord is sure, 

Making wise the simple;

The precepts of the Lord are right, 

Rejoicing the heart; 

The commandments of the Lord is pure, 

Enlightening the eyes; 

The fear of the Lord is clean, 

Enduring forever;

The rules of the Lord are true, 

And righteous altogether. 

More to be desired are they than gold, 

Even much fine gold;

Sweeter than honey and the drippings of honeycomb.

Moreover, by them is your servant warned;

In keeping them there is great reward. 

How did I go from the Ancient of Days to a psalm about the benefits of God’s word? The Ancient of Days is seated on his throne above the wars of this world. There is no doubt that they are wars and our peace comes from knowing the One who tells us it will be ok. We are reminded and strengthened when we know His word and are reminded of his truth. 

Now the other mention of ancient of days:

Micah 5:2

But you, O Bethlehem Ephrathah, 

Who are too little to be among the clans of Judah, 

From you shall come forth for me one who is to be ruler in Israel, 

Whose coming forth is from of old, 

From ancient of days. 

Therefore give them up until the time when she who is in labor has given birth;

Then the rest of his brothers shall return to the people of Israel.

And he shall stand and shepherd his flock in the strength of the Lord,

In the majesty of the name of the Lord his God.

And they shall dwell secure for now he shall be great to the ends of the earth.

And he shall be their peace.

God knew from long ago that little baby Jesus was going to be born in Bethlehem and he would grow to be our shepherd. He will come in majesty as King. And we will live secure. And knowing Him, will be our peace. Today, I hope you are reminded that the Ancient of Days is on his throne over all the wars, that His word will encourage you and straighten you in your battles and that you will live in awe and thankfulness for the baby we celebrate that came to be our peace.