‘Do not say, ”Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions.’ (v10) Ecclesiastes 7:10–14
Life is a process and, as one generation ages, it perceives that the good old days were better than what they experience today. History teaches that this assumption isn’t new or true! Plato recorded Socrates saying, ‘The children now love luxury; they have bad manners, contempt for authority; they show disrespect for elders and love chatter in place of exercise’.
Jesus warns that time is in God’s hands and that we are to attend to our personal discipleship rather than worry about the state of the world (Matt. 24:36-51). It’s not that world events don’t matter, but they too are subject to God’s will and purpose. Our greatest responsibility lies in working out our faith with fear and trembling, whilst praying without ceasing (Phil. 2:12-13 and 1 Thes. 5:17).
Answered prayer is a source of hope, it is a physical reminder of God’s grace and goodness throughout history and it preserves that rich Christian heritage. It reminds us that God never fails or forsakes us. It serves as a call for us to return to active prayer in response to God’s invitation and ensures that visitors can discover the truth of the gospel and encounter God for themselves.
RELATED SCRIPTURE TO CONSIDER: Ps. 22:1-11, Obad. 1:11-18, Jas. 4:13-17.
A PRAYER TO MAKE: ‘Lord, help me to keep my attention focussed on You alone, and give thanks for Your involvement in my life from my birth. Amen’
Photo by Aron Visuals on Unsplash
