Daily Devotions
Why Longing for the "Good Ole' Days" Is Not Helpful
Reading for May 18th: Ezra 1-4
And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the LORD, because the foundation of the house of the LORD was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers' houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people's weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away.
Ezra 3:11-13
Do you long for the "good ol' days"? Do you look at young people with their video games and texting and social media and worry over the future of the church? Do you look at declining baptisms and weak gospel meetings and overextended young families who don't have time for spiritual things and just throw up your hands?
You're not alone. I feel your frustration. But I would caution you.
First of all, we must remember that our memories of yesteryear can be faulty. Not everything was wonderful back in the day. We tend to forget the bad stuff.
But along with that, I want to tell you that the state of the church is not as bad as it may seem. Yes, there is cause for concern over our young people, but there are also a lot of extraordinary young Christians and young families out there. And what is their reaction when all they hear is how bad everything is today and how much better it used to be? What kind of a message are we sending them? Even if we are right (in some respects) about our assessment, how does our grumbling and complaining help them?
Let's do all we can to celebrate the good that our young people are doing today for the Lord and "reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with complete patience and teaching" those who need it.
Father, we thank you for our godly young people in our churches who shine as bright lights in a dark world.
