HAVE RIGHT THINKING!

And all the people shouted with a great shout when they praised the Lord, because the foundation of the house of the Lord was laid. But many of the priests and Levites and heads of fathers’ houses, old men who had seen the first house, wept with a loud voice when they saw the foundation of this house being laid, though many shouted aloud for joy, so that the people could not distinguish the sound of the joyful shout from the sound of the people’s weeping, for the people shouted with a great shout, and the sound was heard far away. —Ezra 3:11-13

Remember the “good ole days?” Now, what was so good about the “good ole days?” Do you remember the old job and think it was better than the one you have now? Was it the old house you used to live in and think it was better than the one you live in now? Do you think of the old town you used to live in and think it was better than where you live now? Do you remember your old friends and think they were better than the ones you have now?

The trouble with thinking the “good ole days” were the best or better days negates the good the Lord seeks to do in your life in the present. To desire to live in the past is not to appreciate what the Lord is seeking to do in and through your life in the present. The present may not feel the same as the past, may not look the same and may not be as comfortable as the past, but that does not change the fact that the Lord is working in the present day situation.

In the verses above the people were excited! They were back in the land after being exiled for 70 years and now the foundation of the new temple was laid. Many of the people shouted for joy, but many of the older people who could remember the old temple wept. They thought the “good ole days” and the old temple were better. But God was doing a new thing! Let us not be captivated by fanciful impressions of the past. Instead, let us be expectant of the powerful presence of the Lord God Almighty in the present and what He desires to do in and through us. Let us look at the “good present and future” and not dwell on the false impressions of the “good ole days” of the past. Let us not be bound by twisted thoughts, but live free by Holy Spirit inspired thinking!

Dear Father, thank You for today. I may not understand all that is going on, but I understand that You will never leave or forsake me and that you will be with me to the end of the age. Help me to rejoice in today, even when it may be uncomfortable because I know You are with me!