God Is on the Throne

Intro – Children have a way of gaining control of things don’t they – I heard about a young boy who received a harmonica for Christmas from his uncle. After the first of the year he saw his uncle for the first time since receiving the harmonica. With a large smile he said, “Thanks for the harmonica you gave me for Christmas," "It’s the best present I ever got."

"That’s great," replied his uncle. "Do you know how to play it?"

"Oh, I don’t play it," the boy replied. "My mom gives me a dollar a day not to play it during the day and my dad gives me five dollars a week not to play it at night!"

Now that is a boy who had control of the situation! I’ve got some good news for you and me today and it is this: God has control of the situation in this world…this country… and your life! Do you know what is going to happen in your life over the next week…month? Next year? Sometimes things seem chaotic…out of control…but we have to realize that God is in charge and in control. Isaiah learned this lesson and Isaiah 6:1-5 records this for us…read…

Isaiah 6:1–5 NASB95

In the year of King Uzziah’s death I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, lofty and exalted, with the train of His robe filling the temple. Seraphim stood above Him, each having six wings: with two he covered his face, and with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one called out to another and said, “Holy, Holy, Holy, is the Lord of hosts, The whole earth is full of His glory.” And the foundations of the thresholds trembled at the voice of him who called out, while the temple was filling with smoke. Then I said, “Woe is me, for I am ruined! Because I am a man of unclean lips, And I live among a people of unclean lips; For my eyes have seen the King, the Lord of hosts.”

This morning I want you to notice 2 things:

1. GOD IS ON HIS THRONE.

- Isaiah 6 was written during a time when the nation of Judah was feeling unsettled m- reeling with uncertainty. Their King, King Uzziah, had reigned for 52 years! He was all most of the people had known! There had been national and economic stability. And now their leader was gone. And the people felt unsettled - uncertain about the future.

- Isaiah and the people needed to know that God was on THE THRONE! In charge – not man, not an earthly king!

- Many times we lose sight of this – we get our eyes more on man (and our leaders) rather than God!

- God is the Sovereign One! He is the Sovereign Ruler!

- Are there some parallels as to where we are today?

- We’ve got some significant uncertainties facing us–the future direction of our nation…the economy – the moral…religious… and economic parts of our society – still dealing with covid and covid concerns!

- And we need to know that God is on THE THRONE! Not man

- And His will is going to be accomplished!

- Psalm 22:28 says: 28 For the kingdom is the LORD'S And He rules over the nations.

Psalm 22:28 NASB95

For the kingdom is the Lord’s And He rules over the nations.

- Daniel 4:34-35 says: 34 … and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. 35 "All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, 'What have You done?'

Daniel 4:34–35 NASB95

“But at the end of that period, I, Nebuchadnezzar, raised my eyes toward heaven and my reason returned to me, and I blessed the Most High and praised and honored Him who lives forever; For His dominion is an everlasting dominion, And His kingdom endures from generation to generation. “All the inhabitants of the earth are accounted as nothing, But He does according to His will in the host of heaven And among the inhabitants of earth; And no one can ward off His hand Or say to Him, ‘What have You done?’

- Luke 1:52 says…52 "He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.

Luke 1:52 NASB95

“He has brought down rulers from their thrones, And has exalted those who were humble.

TS – 2nd…

2. YOU MUST TRUST HIM.

- Isaiah and his people needed to trust God!

- Rather than succumbing to fear, anxiety, and worry…

1) Had to trust in God – trust He was on the throne – He had a plan – He was still God!

2) Had to trust that His purposes would be accomplished.

- Is God alive? Is He actively working in His universe? Absolutely!

- When you and I begin to feel unsettled, and anxiety begins to build, and worry begins to assault…you and I must do the same thing!

1) Must trust God is on the throne.

2) Must trust God’s will is going to be accomplished– things don’t catch God by surprise! He has a divine will and plan and it can’t be subverted or sabotaged.

3) Must trust He is working.

4) Must trust God always does the right thing – in other words, He isn’t wrong!

- Which brings us to this thing of prayer! You and I pray…and we pray and pour our hearts out to God for specific things (requests, pleas)…for our nation…for our lives…for the things that concern us…

- I love what Martin Luther said about prayer: “Prayer is not overcoming God’s reluctance, but laying hold of His willingness.”

- Ultimately IT’S ALL IN GOD’S HANDS!

- And this is where we must place our trust!

- What is Allstate’s motto: You’re in good hands!

- I like God’s motto better! You’re in Good Hands = My Hands!

Conclusion

One thing is certain: We don’t know what the future holds but we know the One Who holds the future!

And this is where you and I must place our trust!

How much do you trust God today?