Era is a period of time marked by Distinctive character or events
This Psalm marks a new era in the history of Israel. The United States is living in a new era when a businessman is elected President.  This Psalm is about the Jews returning from exile and our most recent election has given me hope that America is returning from a long exile. From the hijacking of the Biblical rainbow to unprecedented expansion of government to government funding of organizations selling human body parts ... yes I pray we are coming home to our Judeo Christian roots.  
This Psalm refers to the deliverance of the Jews from the oppressive grip of Babylon. The man used of God to affect their deliverance is Cyrus, King of the Persians. He is an unlikely candidate from a strictly human perspective. But God calls Cyrus by name in Isaiah 45. Ultimately, he lead a national resurgence in Israel for the next 50 years. The book Chaos Candidate by Dr. Lance Wallnau gives much more information on this remarkable King as it relates to the President - elect. I believe Mr. Trump is the Cyrus of a new era. His election surprised the "pundits" and "experts". He confounded the polls at every turn. The election has brought unbounded encouragement of answered prayer. The Psalmist expresses the feelings of many evangelicals, we were like men who dreamed. Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. (2) 
I hope I share the thoughts of many in the Body of Christ, that God may have given America a reprieve. We were quickly travelling down the broad path to destruction bu God has given us an opportunity. The Psalmist is writing about a tangible life event. He is talking about the intervention of God in a tangible way. He is writing about an historic event, we are filled with joy. May the President - elect (the 45th President) be a contemporary Cyrus(Isaiah 45) to restore the fortunes, underwritten by our unique, long lasting Constitution. 
Like streams in the desert(4) may the rain of God's Spirit rain upon us and bring living waters for thirsty souls in our communities. May King David's declaration echoed in this new era, You, O God sent a plentiful rain, whereby You confirmed Your inheritance when it was weary. Your congregation dwelt in it, You, O God provided from Your goodness for the poor. (Psalm 68:9)
Now the challenge to fulfill the promise of this election begins. Dreams of national renewal and revival are rising in the hearts of God's people. These are like the days of Nehemiah rebuilding the wall in ancient Jerusalem. Prayer and hard work lay before us. We must be diligent in the values of our American citizenship. We must be the ambassadors of His good Gospel. We declare with our worship - Jesus is Lord. We enter the presence of Christ to proclaim the increase of His government will know no end! Let us hold fast to our confession of faith. 
The election is an end to a chapter. Let us begin to write a new chapter, of a new era in America. Let us work to restore what has been lost, let us restore a firm foundation of righteousness for our beloved nation and the generations who follow. 
Have you been in your own Babylon? Have you been in a place of spiritual confusion and disarray? Ask Christ into your life, repent of your sin, recieve His forgiveness and let's walk together in a new era of God's wonderful grace.

Righteousness exalts a nation, but sin is a reproach to any people. Proverbs 14:34 Alexis DeToqueville was a Frenchman who came to America early in the 19th century to see first hand the vitality and heart of the American democracy. I quote from his classic Democracy in America , "I sought for the greatness and genius of America in her commodious harbors and her ample rivers and it was not there ... in her fertile fields and boundless forests and it was not there ... in her rich mines and vast world commerce and it was not there ... in her democratic Congress and Constitution and it was not there, not til I went to the churches of America and heard her pulpits aflame with righteousness did I understand the secret of her genius and power." 
I am guided by these principles in casting my vote on Election day 2016. I believe this is a consequential election, the most important of my lifetime. Here are the values that serve as my guiding light in casting my ballot.

• reject globalism - the sin of Israel in the selection of King Saul was clear. The governmental and religious leaders led the nation in the sentiment to be like all the nations of the earth. God never intended this for Israel. America has been an exceptional nation from birth. I heard a pastor say; God loved Israel in her birth as a nation but America chose God in her birth. America, in recent years has been moving toward a European socialist model of government. I believe this is a mistake. It holds our excetional nature in contempt. 
• We must be a nation of laws. So called "equal marriage" was made law in a way that circumvented our Constitutional process. And from that law are lawsuits persecuting men and women of faith who disagree. Government overeach has prompted a huge coming out party that will have long lasting consequences in our nation.
  
• We must refuse bigger and bigger government that believes it is a law unto themselves. Unchecked government will eat everything in its path, like the old game of PacMan. The Founders refused monarchies for this very reason.
  
• We must vote for those candidates who have shown they view our evangelical, Pentecostal leaders as mutual stakeholders in the future prosperity of America. We can work together to "renew the bonds of trust between citizens and the bonds of faith that make our nation strong." (President - elect Trump)
  
• Pro life from conception
• Pro Israel
• Judges who interpret the Constitution as it was written and not as they wished it was written.

This election is the most important of our lifetime. I pose two questions to frame our vote,
1. Which candidate has the will to stall the march to a progressive Armageddon?
2. Which candidate has shown the drive to expand government, to further the legislation of immorality, expand the killing of the unborn and increase the national debt, thereby making our dollars worth less and less?

This Election Sunday sermon is available on cd.
Next post - Isaiah 45, the election of the 45th President and King Cyrus