These Are The Good Old Days!
This pining away over days gone by is as old as mankind. Consider the words of Solomon the Wise, who said, “Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.” (Ecclesiastes 7:10)
In other words, this obsession with going back to the way things used to be is foolish. It’s also faithless. Faith looks forward. Consider these words from the New Testament: “Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” (Hebrews 11:1)
What a foolish, hopeless, insecure way to live, always looking back, longing for the way it used to be! God’s people are not called to live this way. “Forgetting what is behind and straining forward to what is ahead” is the mark of mature, Spirit-led followers of Jesus. (Philippians 3:13) And just to be clear, we don’t follow by going backward but by moving forward. When Peter returned to his old life as a fisherman, Jesus tracked him down, and there, by the seashore, he said to his wayward disciple, “Follow me.”
God has great plans in store for those who believe that as followers of Jesus, the good old days lie ahead. Whatever those days may bring, we can be certain that the presence and peace of the Spirit of Jesus will fill us, guide us, and establish us.
This is the message we need to be sending to our children, fellow church members, countrymen, and all those whom God has placed around us. Yes, the future is uncertain. And yes, there are obstacles, struggles, and sometimes deep pain waiting in the days ahead. But along with these things, there is something else waiting for us, or I should say someone else. The Alpha and Omega, Jesus, beckons as we look forward to what lies ahead.
Live for today while looking forward to tomorrow. And remember, these are the good old days.
In Christ,
Dan
Check out my podcasts from Church on the Edge and my books on Kindle.
You can listen to my weekly messages at Embrace Church, High Point.