“Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, (Hebrews 12:28 ESV).
The fleeting nature of life is a realization that often catches up with us over time. For instance, we can see the transitory character of life in the rise and fall of nations throughout history. We can see it in the neighborhoods and landscapes that have changed over the years. We can see it in the machinery and appliances that break down, wear out, or become obsolete. Then there are the personal and emotional challenges that come with the prospect of life without a friend, mentor, or loved one who has passed away.
We may awake one day to find that musical tastes have changed, the language of the next generation is different, or the familiar landmarks of youth have ceased to exist. As cultures change and new generations rise up to replace the old ones, we may eventually come to feel as if we are living in a world that has become increasingly remote and unfamiliar.
For some, these hard realities may prompt a desire to return to a past where life was supposedly better. But as appealing as that may seem, the Old Testament book of Ecclesiastes offers an important word of advice: “Don’t long for ‘the good old days.’ This is not wise” (Ecclesiastes 7:10 NLT). Those words were composed almost three millennia ago, and they are still relevant today.
Even if the “good old days” were better in certain respects, they were still populated by fallible human beings who acted in accord with their fallen natures. Because of this, the “good old days” were probably not as good as we remember. Thus, we may seek to return to a history that never really existed in our desire to turn back the clock. In the words of Ecclesiastes 7:10, that is not wise.
This, along with our text from Hebrews 12:28, should encourage us to look forward and not back. While there is a place for nostalgia and pleasant memories of days gone by, this passage should encourage us to adopt a far more beneficial mindset…
‘”Let us be thankful,’ he says, ‘that the kingdom which we receive is unshakable; and in that spirit of thankfulness let us offer acceptable worship to God.’ To the grace of God the proper response is a grateful heart, and the words and actions that flow from a grateful heart are the sacrifices in which God takes delight.” (1)
(1) The New International Commentary On The New Testament – The Epistle To The Hebrews, F. F. Bruce, General Editor © Copyright 1964, Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co. Grand Rapids, Michigan [pg. 384]