The good ol’ days. We love to talk about them, rest in them, and ruminate on them. Whether it be the good ol’ days of school, travel, love, work, or just an exceptionally sweet spot in our lives, we love to reminisce about a time or situation that sat well with us. Margie and I arrived on the tiny little Caribbean island of Cozumel, Mexico on Friday afternoon and what we found was eye-opening. The little island that garners the lions share of its commerce from tourism, has been wracked by Mr. Corona. About 60% of the shops and restaurants are shuttered, closed by the lack of visiting tourist dollars. The result is an atmosphere that is so different compared to our last visits. Empty streets, empty beaches, and a town square that now host tens instead of hundreds. As we explore the island, we talk about the good ol’ days of what it used to be like.
In life, it is no different. We have an uncanny knack for vividly remembering what we perceive as our glory days. Times in our lives where we felt we had happiness, plenty, and peace. A time when life seemed to be playing by our rules. Yet have you noticed that the good ol’ days rarely seem to be the ones in which we are currently living? How many times do you encounter someone that says, “today is the single best day of my life, it’s never been better than today!” You see, it’s usually the norm for us to think of our past days as our best. My job was better a few years ago, I was making more money back then, my marriage was happier 5 years ago, when the kids were small, family life was better. We make everything perfect in the good ol’ days. Why is it that the good ol’ days can’t be today?
One thing that has rang very true in my life is the different lessons I've learned during the good times versus during the lean times. You see, we love to talk about the good ol’ days of plenty, the times where we longed for nothing. But during these times, how was your walk with God? Were you on your knees crying out to God for help, direction and provision? Probably not. But when times are lean, the lessons abound. We discover our tremendous need for God, we discover how little we truly control in our life, and as a result, life lessons abound. You see, times of plenty are fun but they teach us little. The deepest life lessons are found not in the times of fat and plenty, but in the days of lean and little.
King David knew lean times. He, through the power of God, fought through countless lean times. It was in these lean times that David had to cry out to God for strength, motivation, provision, and guidance. It was in these lean times that God molded him into the man we see in the pages of God’s Word. Sure, David enjoyed times of plenty, but it was the lean times that molded the heart that could truly enjoy the good times and not lose sight of God. Now the torch has been passed to his son Solomon and we see quite a different start to his reign than David's.
The kingdom of Israel is riding higher than it ever has. God has blessed Solomon with the ability to rule and govern with great wisdom. The man that possesses this gift, is blessed indeed. And a wise Godly ruler will bless his people. The results of this blessed equation results in the blessings of God flowing to His people. We see some numbers thrown around today that boggles the mind. God was blessing Israel with such amazing provision under Solomon that even today we can look back and clearly categorize this as the good ol’ days of Israel.
Each morning at the loading docks of Solomon’s palace they received, thirty 55 gallon barrels of flour, 10 grain fed cows, sixty 55 gallon barrels of meal, 20 pasture fed cows, 100 sheep, and other wild game such as deer, gazelles, and fowl. This daily delivery was to feed the entire palace and staff and considering the sheer amount, leads us to believe the palace employed upwards of 15,000 people. And folks, this was every day. We’re told in verses 1-19 that Solomon had a vast system of officials that managed the kingdom and its resources. Twelve men managed the kingdom with each one tasked to supply the palace for one month of the year.
But to me, what really signifies the good ol’ days of Israel is this verse:
“During Solomon’s life everyone in Judah and Israel, all the way from Dan to Beersheba, lived in peace and security. The people were at peace sitting under their own fig trees and grapevines.” 1 Kings 4:25 ERV
The provision of God was equal in the rule of Solomon. Each family had their own figs and grapevines. And more importantly, we see a kingdom at peace. If you’ve followed through the Old Testament with me thus far, you know this is a rarity. The kingdom of Israel has had small pockets of peace but by far it has been at war since its inception. This period of peace, prosperity, and plenty will definitely be looked back on as the good ol’ days for centuries to come. But again, where are the life lessons during the times of plenty?
If you study historical culture you will see that societies make the greatest move away from God during the times of plenty. The great empires of Rome, Greece, England, and yes, I believe even the USA, when all faced with unlimited blessings and provision from God, have slowly moved away from God. I mean, if you have plenty then why do you need God anymore?
Regardless of what your situation looks like today, make today your good ol’ days. With God, you have all you need today. As long as you have Jesus Christ, this will be the best day of your life. For with Christ, you have blessed eternal Salvation through His work upon the Cross. Because of placing your faith in Christ, today your home is in Heaven. And folks, that makes today a good day.
God has His best for you today, seek it out, secure it, and revel in it. For it is not only in the times of plenty that you will find the true nature of God, but in the lean times, where he tries and tests you. For it is here that your faith will be grown. A great faith that will endure all times.
May God bless you richly today in your walk with Him.
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