The Good Day

Some folks speak of the "good old days" when life was simpler and slower ... seemed better. Those days, of course, may have lacked some dearly-beloved conveniences. I suggest there's enough considerations to tantalize us into longings for other times. In Exodus, we read how God utterly exposed and crushed all of Egypt's false gods through a series of plagues; He left little doubt about His sovereignty and power! After the Hebrews left Egypt set free of slavery - as promised - God continued to care for His people; the miracles witnessed at the Red Sea and throughout their wilderness journey further proved His power, love and faithfulness. It wasn't long before the people began to grumble and complain; perhaps the height of their disgruntling they said, "Who will give us meat to eat? We remember the fish which we used to eat free in Egypt, the cucumbers and the melons and the leeks and the onions and the garlic, but now our appetite is gone. There is nothing at all to look at except this manna.'" (Numbers 11:4-6 NASB). Their ingratitude had caused them to slip into a longing for the land of bondage and slavery ... the "good old days?" Perhaps one of the earliest psalms, a prayer of Israel's leader Moses, he says: "O satisfy us in the morning with Your lovingkindness that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days." (Psalm 90:14 NASB). Ingratitude always leads to discontent; gratitude, however, fulfills the longing heart - a satisfaction of the soul itself! "Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever." (Psalm 136;1 ESV). Unless we understand and acknowledge The Lord as eternally good - knowing "good" is His nature - we too will find ourselves longing for other things. Don't fall into the enemy's trap of longing for what was or what might be. This day - today - with all that is in it is the best day to be glad "This is the day that the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it." (Psalm 118:24 ESV). Today is ... the good day!