Don’t say, “Why were days gone by better than these?” For it is not wise for you to ask about this (Ec 7:10).
We can all identify seasons of our lives that we look back on with nostalgia. Times in which we were able to experience joy and blessing in a special way; times of ideal situations, pleasant memories and unforgettable experiences.
We look longingly at those years, places or relationships; perhaps that neighborhood or those friends who somehow represent (or were instruments of) yesterday’s happiness.
But we make a mistake if we make our beautiful past the most important factor in our joy and peace. When nostalgia for the past becomes the most dominant emotion in the heart, we begin to underestimate the present.
That nostalgia turns into discontent, discontent into ingratitude, and that ingratitude can lead us to complain and murmur against God. Like the people of Israel, who after being liberated from Egypt complained about their present condition; longing turned into complaint and they sinned against God (Numbers 11:4-10).
In the text of Ecclesiastes, the biblical author tells us that we are not wise if we estimate our past as “the best.” There is no wisdom in saying, implying or thinking that our past is better than our present. There is foolishness in asking “Why were days gone by better than these?” (Ecc 7:12).
It is true that we should be grateful for the good things that God allowed us to live in the past, but excessive nostalgia for yesterday is not a good sign and it is not healthy for our souls either.
We can thank God and say that Christ is better than everything, even better than the good days of the past.
This way of seeing things ignores that God is the one who orders and directs our entire lives, including the past, present, and future. Estimating the past as the best is underestimating the present circumstances and forgetting that God uses them as a means to make us like Christ.
God is at work now, in the midst of our unpleasant, uncomfortable, or difficult situation. He is still faithful and sufficient for us. The God of our past is the God of our present and that is reason enough to be happy, satisfied, expectant and enthusiastic.
“The best” is that Christ gave His life for us and that today we enjoy eternal salvation. God fulfills his purpose in our lives today and everything is working for our good in the present. We can thank God and say that Christ is better than everything, even better than the good days of the past.
The good of our past should increase our love, delight, and desire for God. Our greatest longing and delight should be for the Lord and his glory, not some past event or blessing.
Delight yourself in the Lord, said the psalmist (Ps 37:4). Our delight increases as we know and adore Christ more each day. He is the true joy of his people, today.