Do you remember the good old days? Do you long for them? Some say life was so much better “back then,” and others even suggest that turning back the calendar would “make America great again.” So what does the Bible, our basic instructions before leaving earth, say about the “good old days?”
“Do not say, ‘Why were the former days better than these?’ for you do not inquire wisely concerning this” (Ecclesiastes 7:10 NKJV).
The Good Old Days?
I have learned a great deal from the past, as I shared in my book, Standing on the Promises (2025). But I have no desire to go back there! Sharecropping, Jim Crow or legalized discrimination against black Americans, second-class citizenship, gross lack of resources, etc. Thank God for the lessons learned, but I do not look back longingly. The three words Jesus spoke in Luke 17:32 are loaded, packed with meaning and wisdom: “Remember Lot’s wife.”
It’s time to move forward! We can get stuck in a time or a place. We may have some fond memories of the time, place, people, and events that have contributed to molding and forging us into who we are today, so we want to stay there. Yet God said, “But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? (Isaiah 43:18-19a NLT).
“Do you not see it?” Where is God trying to take you? What is the new thing He wants to do for you, for your church? Let go of the past and let Him take you there!
Focus Quote: “The glory of this latter house shall be greater than of the former, saith the LORD of hosts: and in this place will I give peace, saith the LORD of hosts.” –Haggai 2:9 KJV
Special Note: Thank you to those who have gotten and read my book, Standing on the Promises. I have heard many wonderful comments from individuals who have been blessed by the book. Thank you! Below is one I received yesterday that stood out to me and blessed me:
Greetings, Dr. Sumner,
Hope you are doing well. I purchased your book Standing on the Promises on Pentecost Sunday and read it in its entirety the next day. Thank you for sharing your amazing, uplifting, empowering, and intriguing journey. There have been times when I’ve wasted money on a movie that I didn’t like or bought food that didn’t taste good. Standing on the Promises is one of the best things that I have spent money on that was well worth it and more. I could not put it down once I started reading, and I wish there were more!
Standing on the Promises blessed me, and I’m certain that it will bless others. I trust and believe that we can do the unthinkable (all things) when we have “undoubtable faith.”
May God continue to richly bless you and yours,
~ Roz
