The Good Old Days!

Oh, the “good old days”! Do you remember them? Well, if you haven’t referred to them yet, the chances are some day you will use that expression about some period of your life? But is it for real? Were the days of the past really the “good old days”? Isn't it true that at some point a generation will place that label on today? Is everything good today? No! But is everything bad? No! Is not this the truth about the days of the past as well? Will it not also be the truth about the days ahead?

Solomon wrote:
“Say not, ‘WHY WERE THE FORMER DAYS BETTER THAN THESE?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.” ( Ecclesiastes 7:10 ESV)

Why is it not wise? Do we really have adequate information of all that has gone before to make such a statement? Also, why long for that which we can’t go back to or have control over?

Often times this sentiment may merely reflect a spirit of discontent. What is taking place during that moment of discontent may then in the future be looked back upon by another as being a part of the “good old days.”

Were the “good old days” really good? Has man’s disposition in the world really changed? Has there ever been a time when there was no struggle? Was there ever a time when life was really easy? All ages have had the good and the bad.

Israel, when complaining in the desert seemed to forget how bad they had had it in Egypt. Note one of the times Israel complained.

“(2) And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, (3) and the people of Israel said to them, ‘Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.’” ( Exodus 16:2-3 ESV)

Had they forgotten what it was like to be enslaved? Had they forgotten what it was like to have their children taken from them? God was trying to bless them, but in their impatience all they could think of was going back to another place and time.

What should characterize our focus? This is the life we have. These are the days we have. How are we using them right now? What are we making of them? We know in who’s hands is the future. Are we walking with Him now? Are we glorifying Him with our lives now? Do we see how He is and will bless us?

We may look back on days of the past with fondness for the special events, experiences and people that made a special imprint on our memories. But the greatest is truly yet to come when we move from this life into eternity with our Lord.

Have a great day PREPARING FOR THAT GLORIOUS FUTURE!
Carl
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[NOTE: This focus was originally sent 8/11/98, (Passages have been changed to ESV)]

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