“He marked out their appointed times in history and the boundaries of their lands.” Acts 17:26
Yesterday I found myself bemoaning the difficulties of our time. I was thinking that times without such societal unrest would have been so much easier for the church. It’s probably not an accident a few minutes later I was singing an old song, “This is the day”. At one point it says, “This is the day that the Lord has made … let the church rejoice and be exceedingly glad.” I was immediately struck by how these words shed light on my contemplation a few minutes prior.
These days surely are difficult for everyone involved, but these are the days that we, the church in 2018, have been given. There is no use longing for different days. These are the times we are given. And Acts 17:26 tells us clearly that it was no accident that you and I landed smack-dab in the middle of this time.
It makes me think about a scene from “Lord of the Rings” where Frodo is kind of complaining to Gandalf about the times they were living in.
“I wish it need not have happened in my time,” said Frodo.
“So do I,” said Gandalf, “and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
I have found great comfort in these thoughts. It is good for my heart to be reminded that I am living in this time by God’s will, and therefore I need not feel abandoned nor should I long for other days. These are the days He has made available to me.
Ecclesiastes 7:10 says, “Don’t long for the ‘good old days.’ This is not wise.”
There is not enough room here to search all the reasons why that is not wise. But I think we can venture two guesses that are surely part of the reason.
First, the good old days probably weren’t as good as we remember in our nostalgia. My great uncle told me this once after recalling how they had to back up hills in their car because there was no fuel pump, so the gasoline was gravity fed. He then said, “Don’t ever listen to people talk about the good old days, they weren’t that great.” There are a lot more serious reasons why the “good old days” were hard for people, too.
Secondly, focusing on a different time other than our own days keeps us from experiencing the unique blessings and living up to the unique challenges of our own days. While the challenges of our day may seem particularly trying, there is still enough grace and strength available to us in Jesus to live faithfully and fully right now. And while the trials of our days may tempt us to live in despair, we must remember that the same Lord who enabled the apostles to rejoice in their suffering is still with us and can fill our hearts with joy right now.
Hear this with confidence … this is the day that we were created for. We are not here by accident, and we have not been abandoned. The same faithful Lord that has worked in every age is still here working in, among, and through us. So, let us rejoice in this day that He has given us.
– Deryk Pritchard, Preacher