“Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”
Ecclesiastes 7:10
Do you find yourself thinking about the “good old days?” Wishing that things were like they were before?
I think we all do that from time to time. We look at the past with “rose-colored glasses.” In other words, we intentionally forget the bad things.
Billy Joel, in the song “Keeping the Faith,” sang:
“‘Cause the good ole days weren’t always good and tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems.”
The children of Israel were missing the “good old days.” Things were getting hard in the wilderness, so they started complaining to Moses.
“The sons of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the Lord’s hand in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the pots of meat when we ate bread to the full; for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.”
Exodus 16:3
What they chose to forget was that they were in slavery in Egypt. Back then, they cried out to God for deliverance, because the bondage was difficult and cruel.
They also forgot God’s recent miracles. Hint: parting of the Red Sea, and deliverance from Pharaoh’s army.
It’s ok to think about the past, on occasion. Just don’t live there…
One good thing to remember from the past is God’s blessings, healing, and answered prayer!
As a Chaplain, I try not to visit patients too early. I figure most people need one or two cups of coffee before having to look at me!
I arrived around noon at a patient’s house the other day. The lady I came to see was still asleep. Her grandson woke her up and gave her a bottle of coke.
She smiled and said her grandson always brings her a coke in the morning. This was her coffee, she joked.
She began talking about good memories of how she had worked for the Lord, teaching Sunday school. Even though she was just waking up, she radiated the joy of the Lord. We had a great visit.
I prayed and we said our goodbyes. As I was about to open the door to leave, I heard her talking to God.
“Lord, I’m sorry I didn’t say good morning to you when I woke up. I always say good morning to you. I love You Lord.”
This tugged at my heart strings. It reminded me that sometimes get in a hurry, and forget to really pray.
Sure, I say the words, but they don’t sound or feel as heartfelt as “Good morning Lord! I love You.”
