THE LORD SPOKE (September 15)

Daily Reflections from Scripture:

Old Testament: Ecclesiastes 7-9

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions. Ecclesiastes 7:10

“Back in the good ol’ days...”
When I was a kid, we...”
“It didn’t used to be that way!”

Have you heard things like that before? Have you said them yourself? God’s Word in Ecclesiastes tells us it’s not wise to make such comparisons all the time. Oh, it’s okay to reminisce. The Bible has lots to say about remembering the past. But always comparing the present unfavorably to the past is not a smart thing to do. Here’s why:

1. It’s probably not even true. Check out your facts, you may not be remembering so well. Or, maybe you’re operating under a selective memory. Was it really so good back then?
2. It discourages the young folks. They get tired of hearing about it. They don’t really believe you anyway.
3. It widens the gap between the young and the old. You lose touch with them because they feel you’re out of touch with reality.
4. It leads you to live in the past. That’s always wrong. It destroys what you could be accomplishing in the present and never lets you look to the future.
5. If feeds your discontent. You get grumpy when you do that. You always feel dissatisfied and it rubs off on others around you.
6. It causes you to under-value or not appreciate fully the present. You end up missing out on what could be good times right now.
7. It results in a fantasy world. If it was really as good as you say it was, would you go back to it if you could?

Asaph gave us some useful advise in the Psalms, that will help to put our thinking about the past in a better balance...

I thought about the former days, the years of long ago; I remembered my songs in the night. My heart mused and my spirit inquired: Will the Lord reject forever? Will he never show his favor again? Has his unfailing love vanished forever? Has his promise failed for all time? Has God forgotten to be merciful? Has he in anger withheld his compassion?

Then I thought, “To this I will appeal: the years of the right hand of the Most High. I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will meditate on all your works and consider all your mighty deeds. (Psalm 77:5-12)

Solomon’s own advice in today’s Scripture selection is still very valid for our day...

So I commend the enjoyment of life, because nothing is better for a man under the sun than to eat and drink and be glad. Then joy will accompany him in his work all the days of the life God has given him under the sun. Ecclesiastes 8:15

New Testament: Revelation 21

The curse has run its course! Everything is new. Take note of everything that “is no more”:

Rev. 21:1 - no more sea
Rev. 21:4 - no more tears
- no more death
- no more mourning
- no more crying
- no more pain
Rev. 21:8 - no more cowardliness
- no more unbelief
- no more vileness
- no more murder
- no more sexual immorality
- no more magic arts
- no more idolatry
- no more lies
Rev. 21:22 - no more temple
Rev. 21:23 - no more sun
- no more moon
Rev. 21:25 - no more closed gates
Rev. 21:27 - no more impurity
- no more shame
- no more deceit
Rev. 22:3 - no more curse
Rev. 22:5 - no more night

There will be a new heaven and a new earth. Have you ever tried to take a mental walk around the new Jerusalem? She is “as a bride, beautifully dressed for her husband”. Consider that glow like a precious jewel. Look at her twelve gates with angels standing at each one. On each one is written the name of one of the twelve tribes of Israel (can you name them?). On the foundations of the wall are written the names of the twelve apostles (can you recite them?). Everything is of purest gold. Every possible kind of precious stone has been incorporated in the structures with a majestic display of light and color that baffles the imagination.

But look at the gates! Each one is an enormous pearl with an opalescence that reflects a new kind of light. There’s no sun or moon but the light you see is the very glory of God. The Lamb is the lamp!

Oh, glory! No wonder John ends the next chapter and the book with “just take me away”. “Even so, come Lord Jesus!”