By Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions (Ecclesiastes 7:10).
“Remember the good old days.” How often have we heard this phrase? Were the “old days” always that good?
If Christians will be honest- and certainly they should be- they will admit that many of the former days were lived in the bondage of sin. Those days were definitely not good days.
We often hear the phrase, “Have a great day.” This is a positive statement that reflects a real truth. If we are truly converted, today is a great day. In fact, it is the absolute best day.
Consider the truth contained in Ephesians 2:1-3:
“As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath.”
Notice how those days really were. We were dead in our sins. We were following the ways of this world and the ways of Satan himself. We had no self discipline- allowing our desires to control us. We were deserving of God’s wrath. Do those sound like “good old days”?
Today is in fact the best day because it is the day of salvation. II Corinthians 6:2 says, “…I have heard thee in a time accepted, and in the day of salvation have I succoured thee: behold, now is the day of salvation.” Anyone who has not given their lives to God can do so today. Those who already have become Christians enjoy the privilege of living today in the assurance of God’s great salvation.
Today is the best day because we can seek the Lord. Isaiah 55:6 tells us to seek the Lord while He may be found and to call upon Him while He is near. James 4:8 gives us a condition and a promise, “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you…” All we have to do is approach God sincerely and He will meet with us. Any day that we can get closer to God is a good day.
So, every day has its challenges for all of us. Obviously, we have to deal with the good and the bad aspects of living in this world. However, if we are Christians, we are in this world but not of this world. Today is the best day because we are saved and we know the One who holds tomorrow.
Dave Snyder is an Ordained Bishop with the Church of God – Cleveland, Tennessee. Before entering the ministry on a full-time basis, he was a school teacher. He also coached middle school basketball for eight years.
Dave and his wife, Sara, have two children — Craig and Karen. They also have one ten year old granddaughter — Breanna.
Dave and Sara pastored in West Virginia for thirty-six years. Sara is now retired from the banking industry, and Dave is retired from pastoring. However, Dave currently serves as prison Chaplain for the West Virginia Division of Corrections and Rehabilitation.
Writing essays, articles, and devotionals is a real passion for Dave. He also enjoys playing musical instruments and singing.
by leaps and bounds 