Acts 7:39- "........................ in their hearts turned back again into Egypt".

 In this passage, Stephen in his defense before the council makes reference to that time when Israel requested Aaron to make a God to lead them (Exodus 32). There were other times when their hearts turned back to Egypt with a longing desire for the things they had in Egypt and at one point even considered appointing a captain to lead them back to the land they had left behind (Num. 11:4-6; Num. 14:1-4)

 

The thought occurs that sometimes today because of all the anger , hatred, corruption and immorality that surrounds us on our daily walk down this pathway of life, our hearts have a tendency to cause us to remember days of old. It is then we are heard to exclaim, "Those were the good old days". As I reflect on this, I tell you that there were a lot of conditions in those days that I have no desire to return to. On the other hand there are some things about those "good old days" that I long for today. My childhood was spent in a time when respect for authority, be it in the home or in society in general was taught and practiced. It was a time when a man's word was his bond because honesty was demanded and expected. For me, those were days in which drinking, gambling, cursing, dancing, adultery, homosexuality and lesbianism were not condoned but soundly condemned (Gal. 5:19-21). Those were the days when God was in the home, the schools, the courts and even in the government. It was a time in which the world did not seem to be as crazy and mixed up as it is today

 

Yesterday is gone, tomorrow may never come so all we have is today. The most pressing need of our day is to develop a great faith in God and his word. Heeding the words of Paul, we must forget those things that are behind and reach forth unto those things that are before us as we press on toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus (Phil. 3:13-14). As one of our grand old songs states so well: "Sing and be happy, Press on to the goal, Trust him who leads you, He will keep your soul".  Rejoice in the Lord and be happy as you sail this sea of life (Phil. 4:4).

 

Charles Hicks