SERMON - TODAY VS YESTERDAY

Today –vs- Yesterday

 

 

As we live is the world fraught with dangers and troubles we must always remember that long ago, even in Biblical days such dangers and troubles existed for our ancestors.

 

The Israelites of Babylon had the same fears as we have to face today but just as He did then He will do now. Our God is the only God and it is Him that should be feared by those who cause us to be in dangerous times and by those who would cause us to be troubled.

 

Isaiah 51:13 Yet you have forgotten the Lord, your Creator, the One who put the stars in the sky and established the earth. Will you remain in constant fear of human oppression? Will you continue to fear the anger of your enemies from morning till night?

 

The dangers we face are those of terrorism.  While there are those who say, “The danger is ‘blown out of proportion,” nonetheless that danger exists. In fearing the terrorists instead of placing our faith in God we all but paralyze ourselves into inactivity. God has allowed us to be born in a country that is protecting us night and day from the acts of terrorists. He has allowed those amongst us that are of the mind to refuse to bow to terrorism the strength to combat our common foe.

 

The troubles we face are more of an immediate cause for concern as they are more often brought about by those amongst us in their greedy pursuit for wealth and power. Look at what is being faced by our society.

 

There is a fear of losing everything due to bad credit decisions of our banking system.

 

There is a fear of watching a neighbor facing foreclosure.

 

There is a fear of facing a severe drop on home values.

 

 There is a fear of the rising cost of foods and fuel.

 

There is even a greater fear of losing our children as disreputable politicians seek to supplant parental duties in favor of State control.

 

There is a fear of losing a child or grandchild to drugs, an increasing use of alcohol, and even to gang violence that may result in death!

 

To really sum it all up, with no hesitation it can be said that there is fear of desolation, famine and the increase of terrorism taking place all over the world.

 

We in America are being told that there is an answer but the answer given is in the person of a politician! This is no solution in the form of any politician or even in a ‘son of the church,’ as Scripture tells us so.

 

Isaiah 51: 18 Not one of your children is left alive to help you or to tell you what to do.      

 

Although we hear Presidential Candidates as they claim to be Godly and attempt to appear Christian, not one of them, not one, is our answer!  None of the hold the key to relive our fears of terrorism or of the troubles we face in our fears we face daily.

 

I say this as our political Parties are so divided on everything! A worsening economy, the war, a healthcare crisis all are beyond their ability to solve. There may be temporary ‘fixes’ to ease our greatest fears but they are just that, temporary.

 

But, do not get alarmed. Do not allow your fears to freeze you into inactivity. Rather, do as the prophets of the Old Testament and the Apostles of the New Testament did. With total conviction and with the utmost faith, come to the realization that our Answer Man lives! ‘His name?,’ you ask, and I reply; Jesus Christ. It is He alone that can take us by the hand and lead us to peace, hope and victory.

 

Isaiah 51:22 This is what your Sovereign Lord, your God and Defender says: “See, I am taking the terrible cup from your hands. You will drink no more of my fury. It is gone at last!”

 

What is God telling us in this Scripture? He has said that He has made a provision for us and we never again have to drink from the cup of trembling. It is only the ungodly will drink from the cup of my fury as He has provided that you, His children, will drink from the fountain of life.

 

In reading the Book of Habakkuk we learn that he saw visions of the ‘last days.’ He saw people that literally wore themselves out in their quest and pursuit for monetary gain and covetousness.

 

Habakkuk 1:3-4 Must I forever see this sin and misery all around me. Wherever I look I see destruction and violence. I am surrounded by people that love to argue and fight.  The law has become paralyzed and useless, and there is no justice given in the courts. The wicked far outnumber the righteous, and justice is perverted with bribes and trickery.   

 

We already see the courts as they rule favorably to the wrongdoers and give rights to the criminals far greater that those given to the victims of their deeds. We see profiteers go unpunished as monetary gain is had by not only the wrongdoers but by our judges and politicians as well.

 

Again, be at ease. Be alert but know in your heart that God is with you and will be with you forever.

 

Habakkuk 3: 18-19 …yet I will rejoice in the Lord! I will be joyful in the3 God of my salvation. The Sovereign Lord is my strength! He will make me as surefooted as a deer and bring me safely over the mountains.

 

 In these times we must keep our faith and pray for even more if necessary. We must each read our Bibles as it is God’s Word that will see us through all that is in our paths. To be open and honest, the darkest days are not yet upon us but with God beside us, who cares? Spread the word to any that will listen and forever have the faith that He is in control, not any other. Try as they might, God is God and He will never be replaced…not in my heart or yours either!

 

(Closing prayer)

 

Father, Creator of us all, Almighty God please hear our prayer. You have created all that there is and no man can equal Your mighty works. Just as they cannot do that, neither can they shake our faith in You . You alone are our God and You alone a deserving of our worship and prayers, Praise be to thee O Lord, King of our Salvation.

 

Father, the times within which we live are perilous and there are those amongst us that would take all that we have worked for and by the sweat of our brows earned. Not only are we beset by terrorists but by those who covet even our smallest possessions.  We ask that You protect us from harm, not only from the harm sought to be brought upon us by terrorism but the harm brought by those who seek our goods. You are our God and You alone can protect us from any and all evils.

 

Father, we thank You for all You choose to give us and for a world that is beautiful beyond belief.  We thank You for our children and grandchildren who are to be the future leaders of this world. We ask that You bless them with the wisdom to lead in a manner deserving of Your love. Be with them just as You are with us.

 

We ask that You protect our military, our honest elected leaders, our honest judges and those that seek to protect us from harm. For those that are seeking to profit from our labors that do so in a sinful fashion, we ask that You open their eyes to truth and their ears to Your Word.

 

Bless all of Your children here in America and abroad. Send You angels to protect them in times of need.

 

We pray these words in the name of Your Son, our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ, who is One with You and the Holy Spirit, One God forever and ever,

 

Amen, amen and amen.  

Pastor Lee S Gliddon Jr, DOM

God's Word Christian Ministry