Do not say, “Why is it that the former days were better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask about this. (NASB)

When I was young, I remember visiting my father’s relatives who often recounted the days of their youth. If you were a casual listener, you would think that those good ‘ole days were really something special. After all, driving a car without a license in Brooklyn, heading to the beach on a carefree summer afternoon, or hanging out with the boys just couldn’t be beat.

As a child hearing such talk, I began to believe that the best days had already passed by. Growing up, the news was filled with civil rights struggles, the war in Vietnam, surging inflation, and a host of other societal ills. Soon, I began to feel that the better days were in the past!

The children of Israel also thought that some of their better times were those days when they were living under Pharaoh’s rule. In Exodus 14, Pharaoh’s army was in hot pursuit of the escaping Israelites who believed that they would soon be overtaken by the Egyptian army. In their fear they complained that the former days under Egyptian tyranny were better than the freedom they now had.

I’ve been guilty myself with thinking that certain times of my life were better than others. If I look back on my sin-filled years, I can remember the momentary pleasure but forget the absolute despondency that accompanied my sin. Truthfully, whatever thrills I got when doing wrong were outweighed by the guilt that I felt.

Like the Children of Israel who were soon to experience a tremendous miracle in the parting of the Red Sea, our best days are yet to come. God is saving the best for when we are with Him in heaven, but He also wants us to know that He’ll part the Red Seas in our lives if we wait upon Him.

The Good ‘Ole Days are our times with the Lord. Sin may hold a momentary appeal, but nothing compares to experiencing the joy of the Lord in your life.

Reported on the news this past Sunday was a story about a pair of shooting incidents in Colorado, one at a Christian missionary (YWAM) facility and many hours later at a church some sixty miles away from the first shootings. The death toll was five including the gunmen who, apparently, was shot and killed by an armed security officer working for the church.

The dead included two teenage sisters, two girls who — as many of us would say — were just entering the prime of their lives. Now, a grieving family must plan their funerals less than two weeks away from Christmas.

I have nothing to say about the gunman, why the shootings happened or anything else other than this: Christians are not exempt from pain. I cringe when I hear so-called preachers misapplying scripture such as “no weapon formed against you shall prosper” to explain (in their view) that God will protect believers from tragic circumstances. Clearly, as it is in this case and in so many cases around the world, Christians do suffer. To the point of death, even.

We Christians can do real harm to others when we dismiss their pain. How do we do that? By glibly tossing scripture out to explain something away.

We don’t have to understand or give reason for someone’s pain, but we are called to come along side of our brothers and sisters by offering prayers on their behalf and direct practical assistance to them for the long term. Visiting the afflicted the first few days following a tragedy is important, but maintaining ongoing support is essential to their recovery.

Some of the most deeply wounded people in the world are God’s children who have endured intense trials, yet have not been held up by His people who are Jesus’ arms, hands and feet to them.

Is there someone in your life who needs Jesus’ touch? You can be that important physical manifestation of His body by making yourself available to them.