Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. Ecclesiastes 7:10
It is very common for people to look back on history and make the statement that those were the ‘good old days’. This usually occurs as someone watches a movie or tv show that depicts life years ago. Looking at what is being shown appears to be a great life, that is slow and full of meaning and purpose. Everything looks great.
Another time people think of the ‘good old days’ is when they are going through a very tough situation in life. Married couples begin to look back on their earlier years of marriage and think it was so much better. Or parents look at when their children were younger and think it was better.
Over and over in this nation people are looking back on years ago. Christians do it often when the government makes a bad ruling, or when someone does an extreme case of killing.
Solomon says that it is not wise to look back like that and ask the question why it was so much better.
Throughout a person’s life there are many ups and downs. Every period of life has its own unique challenges. At the time it appears as though it is the worst of times. Then later, after surviving the situation, another situation arises that appears to be even worse.
As a human being, you can only live in the present. You cannot live in the past or the future. Today is the day for salvation and you must live in it.
Do not forget what has occurred in the past, but do not dwell in the past. Learn from it and move forward. Accept what God has for you today and look forward to what He will have for you tomorrow.
It may appear that the past was good, but try to remember how hard some of the situations were at the time you were going through them. Today is no different. People are no better or worse than they were before. Situations are no better or worse, it is nothing new.
God has you on a journey in this life. Accept what He has given you and live your life to the fullest for Him. Don’t ask bad questions that are worthless.
I pray today that you will know the path God has for you; that you will live your life for God; that you will be content with what God is giving you; and that you will know the abundant life God has for you today.
Thank you for this! I needed to read this to put closure on several things Lord thank you for speaking through my brother or sister and posting this .
Thank you for reading and letting me know it blessed you and helped you. Have a blessed and wonderful day!
This has to be kept in context. What if the people in occupied Europe during WWII thought like this?
I agree to a point. The important thing is to not look back as though now is bad, but to look forward to what God can do. Looking back as if the days were better only brings depression to the here and now, rather than hope that God can bring one through a bad time and use that bad time for our good. James also tells us to give thanks in all things, including trials. Looking back on good times is not thanking God for the current trial or time.