Ever since I was a little girl, I have found it fascinating to imagine living during an earlier time. My parents were teenagers during the 1950’s, the era of “Happy Days”. They experienced the drive-ins, sock hops, poodle skirts, the first tastes of rock ‘n roll. Just put me in a DeLorean time machine and I know which decade I would head for!
My grandfather had been born in 1898; that seemed like a million years ago to me when I was younger. I mean, it was a completely different century after all. He experienced the early wave of electricity in homes, the Roaring 20’s, the Great Depression.
It’s humbling to consider life before we existed. Before 1968, men and women were going about their business, young people were diligently working in college, women were having babies, children were playing…life was going along just fine even before I entered the scene, wasn’t it?!?
There is One, though, who existed before time even began. In fact, He created time. He is the First and the Last, Everlasting to Everlasting, the Ancient of Days.
As I looked, thrones were set in place, and the Ancient of Days took his seat. His clothing was as white as snow; the hair of his head was white like wool. His throne was flaming with fire, and its wheels were all ablaze.
Daniel 7:9
This title for Jesus is mentioned three times in chapter 7 of Daniel. In this prophetic vision, Daniel vividly describes how the Ancient of Days, Jesus, will come and make a favorable judgment for the saints and give them the kingdom. He will also destroy the pompous beasts who exalted themselves above Him. The Ancient of Days is powerful, holy, eternal and victorious.
In the here and now, we can get a little full of ourselves. We learn a lot of science or math or just acquire so much life experience that we begin to believe that all wisdom comes from us. Or others who are smart like us. I can get tunnel-vision and begin to believe that I am far more powerful and greater than is true.
Then, I am reminded of who Jesus is…He is the One who was before time, who created everything, who made math and science, who gives me life to experience and who is Wisdom.
And I, like Job, must humble myself before this Great Ancient of Days and repent of my own foolish reasoning and independence from the One who has always been. In this meek posture, I can then worship Him more fully…
Immortal, invisible, God only wise,
In light inaccessible hid from our eyes,
Most blessed, most glorious, the Ancient of Days,
Almighty, victorious, Thy great name we praise!
Love, Wendy
