The Good Old Days

We call them the good old days – times past when life was less stressful and people were more innocent. We remember them fondly in our hearts and for every generation, the good old days is a different decade, a different culture, a different society.

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I find myself revisiting the past by watching old movies, or viewing old TV programs from my childhood, or listening to classic songs and real singers from the past in my car. As I do these things, I find myself wistfully transported back to the days of old and sometimes I wish I was back there still. But time moves on and waits for no one. Eventually, I am brought back to my responsibilities and present day circumstances.

Bible verse of the Day

Deuteronomy 32:7 Remember the days of old; consider the generations long past. Ask your father and he will tell you, your elders, and they will explain to you.

Old hymns cause me to experience the same. Last night, I was preaching at a senior citizens’ assisted living center where we sung hymns that I hadn’t heard in years. I also read from the King James Version of the Bible and felt the tangible faith of the people present as I intoned the old “Thees” and “Thous”, “heareths” and “leadeths” ( the word check on my computer is now having a fit because it doesn’t recognize any of those words). It was very comforting to feel that some things never change, and that the good old days of the Bible can still penetrate the hearts and souls of people.

Like me, you’re probably facing another busy week. Perhaps you have deadlines to meet or projects to accomplish or targets to achieve. In the midst of all our busy-ness and the stress of trying to keep up, it’s good to know that God never changes, that His words are always relevant, and His love endures forever.

Prayer: Lord God, You know what kind of week that I have before me. You already see what things I must do and paths I must take. Help me and hold me; guide me and lead me; comfort and embrace me, step by step and day by day. In Jesus’ Name, I pray. Amen.

Moving On

I’ve never seen my two college daughters so excited about politics. They actually believe that their votes will count this year, and that young people all over the country will make a real difference in the Presidential election. They don’t want to go back to the old style of “he said, she said” aggressive politics. They want to vote a leader into national office, who has new ideas, new approaches, and new solutions to the problems that we are facing in this new century.

I don’t blame them. During the last thirty years that I have voted for leaders on both sides of the Atlantic, I have never really been truly inspired by any candidates or politicians. They all seem to have a thirst for power instead thoughts for the people. They all tear apart their opponents and when it’s a close race, they resort to dirty tricks, false representations, and unworthy schemes to topple their competitors. They might succeed by doing this, but it makes the electorate more cynical about our leaders.

Bible Verse of the Day

Numbers 14:4 And they said to each other, "We should choose a leader and go back to Egypt."

When the Israelites were faced with uncertain times and a fearful future, they always wanted to go backwards instead of moving on. They believed that it would be better for them to become Egyptian slaves again, rather than forging a new nation for themselves. What they were saying was this: “we don’t like being responsible for ourselves. Take us back to the old ways when we didn’t have to think about tomorrow.” To the Hebrew children in the midst of the wilderness, the good old days were all about giving up their freedom.

Thankfully, God had other plans, and dedicated leaders like Moses and Joshua, would bring the people to their senses and show them that going backwards wasn’t an option if they wanted to have a future.

All of us go through fearful times. Whether it’s illness or finances, our careers or choices, when things go bad, we just want to return to the good old days when things were easier, better, and safer. But as Robert Burns once wrote, “Time and tide wait for no man,” so we can’t return to the past. We need to move on and bring a new series of tomorrows into our lives today. And no matter what we face, God will be there up ahead of us, leading and guiding us, encouraging and urging us to walk on, move on, and press on.

Prayer: Lord Jesus, sometimes we get anxious about the uncertainties of life and just want to return to the safety of the past and retreat into good old days. Help us to refrain from surrendering to our insecurities and instead looking forward to the opportunities that You have in store for us as Christians, as a people, as servants of God. In Your Holy Name, we pray. Amen.