Ecclesiastes 7:10 records the ancient words of Scripture: “Do not say, ‘Why is it that the former days were better than these?’ For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this.”
When we look out into this world it can seem like we live in an incredibly dark time, perhaps the worst age ever. But do we really?
We can easily think we live in situations that no one has lived through before. There is a destructive idea that is entertained by many people: There is so much wickedness in the world now, but there were far more righteous people “back then” — whenever that might be.
Consider the early Christians in the book of Acts. They were mocked, rejected, beaten, jailed, and killed for their faith, yet that was when and how the gospel spread to the known world. Practically all the apostles were martyred for their steadfast refusal to give in to the demands of a wicked, sinful world. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-27, Paul reminds Christians of the repeated pain, danger, hunger, and hardship he had endured.
Think about the Lord’s people in the Old Testament. For instance, as Israel was led to the promised land, Joshua and Caleb were not only in danger from the nations around them, but their own brethren tried to stone them for their faithfulness! (Numbers 14:1-9)
The list in Hebrews 11 recounts just some of the faithful men and women of old, beginning with Abel, who was hated and killed by his brother because he was pleasing to God. Near the end of the chapter we read that “time would fail” (v. 32) to list all the faithful who could be spoken of. Then, in Hebrews 11:35-38, we read this:
Others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mockings and scourgings, yes, also chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two, they were tempted, they were put to death with the sword; they went about in sheepskins, in goatskins, being destitute, afflicted, ill-treated — men of whom the world was not worthy — wandering in deserts and mountains and caves and holes in the ground.
Maybe in some ways the past was better. Maybe in some ways it was worse. But we don’t live in the past. We live right now — we are to be lights in this world. Now is when we must follow in Christ’s steps. Today is when we are called to encourage and exhort one another. The place is here and the time is now. Remember, Christ prayed for us in John 17 — we are not of this world, but we are in this world.
— Stefan Richardson
(Photo: View from Mount Nebo, © 2019 Stefan Richardson)