"The Days of Old"

"The Days of Old"

    As a young man, I worked for several years at a fairly large business in our city.  I enjoyed the job and the people, and found many opportunities for ministry during my years at the establishment.

   After leaving the job in 1984, I have rarely seen or been in contact with any of the people with whom I worked.  I always find it interesting that close associations and even friendships in the workplace usually vanish when employment changes.  People with whom we once communicated almost daily become memories, or are perhaps forgotten altogether as new experiences of life fill our consciousness.  In some cases, this involves sad farewells to those who became friends as well as fellow laborers.

   Thankfully, born again believers have opportunity to still impact people who have become memories.  We can stay in touch with them, of course, in those cases where the opportunity presents itself.  Particularly in these days of so many means of communication, it is more possible than ever to maintain associations with people.  However, we can also pray for people of our past.  This has been my practice for people of the aforementioned establishment that so long ago became a memory.

   "I exhort therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men" (I Timothy 2:1).

   People do not come into our lives by accident, nor do they leave to be absent from our continued prayerful involvement.  I think back on the people and time of my employment at the aforementioned business with the certain knowledge that they played a God-determined role in my life.  Moreover, I am just as certain that I still possess a God-determined role in their lives.  I remember many names and faces, and even if I didn't, the One to whom I direct my intercessions knows each and every person with whom I worked.  Thus, I give thanks for all, praying specifically for those I remember and generally for the rest.  I find this to be a joyful privilege, and the prayerful recollection brings to heart and mind memories of times both blessed and challenging.

    When we realize that memories are opportunities for thanksgiving and intercession, the Holy Spirit graces our mental journeys to the past with His spiritual presence and involvement.  Many of you doubtless consider and practice this gift of God far more than I do.  If not, allow me to suggest that the people of our past crossed our paths for a reason.  Their footsteps, imprinted in our minds and and on our hearts, remain for a reason.  We can pray for them, with thanksgiving for their role in our history, and with intercession to fulfill our role in their present.  What a gift, what a privilege, and what a responsibility as our Lord weaves His redeeming work into every epoch of our past, present, and future.

"I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Thy works; I muse on the work of Thy hands. I stretch forth my hands unto Thee.

(Psalm 143:5-6)

Weekly Memory Verse

    Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also be transformed as the ministers of righteousness; whose end shall be according to their works.

(II Corinthians 11-14)