Daily Affirmations - Day 4 - Questions and Answers - Best Use of Time

Alisa B.
Sep 30
2 min read

Day 4: Best Use of Time

Do not say, “Why were the old days better than these?” For it is not wise to ask such questions (Ecclesiastes 7:10).

Help me to use my strength today For present sorrow, And vict’ries win, that I may be stronger tomorrow ~ Sarah K. Wagner ~ 2007

Pulpit Commentary:

In asking such a question, [Why were the old days better than these?], you show that you have not reflected wisely on the matter. Every age has its light and dark side; the past was not wholly light, the present is not wholly dark. And it may well be questioned whether much of the glamour shed over antiquity is not false and unreal...

In yearning again for the flesh-pots of Egypt, the Israelites forgot the bondage and misery which were the accompaniments of those sensual pleasures.

Gill's Exposition of the Entire Bible:

This is a common opinion, that in all ages prevails among men, that former times were better than present ones; that trade flourished more, and men got more wealth and riches, and lived in greater ease and plenty; and complain that their lot is cast in such hard times, and are ready to lay the blame upon the providence of God, and murmur at it, which they should not do...

This is owing to ignorance of former times; which, if rightly inquired into, or the true knowledge of them could be come at, it would appear that they were no better than the present; and that there were always bad men, and bad things done; frauds, oppressions, and violence, and everything that can be complained of now...

If things are worse than they were, this should be imputed to the badness of men; and the inquirer should look to himself, and his own ways, and see if there is not a cause there, and study to redeem [make the best use of] the time, because the days are evil ( Ephesians 5:16); and not arraign the providence of God, and murmur at that, and quarrel with it...

O Me! O Life!

Walt Whitman 1819 – 1892

O Me! O life! of the questions of these recurring,

Of the endless trains of the faithless, of cities fill’d with the foolish,

Of myself forever reproaching myself, (for who more foolish than I, and who more faithless?)

Of eyes that vainly crave the light, of the objects mean, of the struggle ever renew’d,

Of the poor results of all, of the plodding and sordid crowds I see around me,

Of the empty and useless years of the rest, with the rest me intertwined,

The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life?

Answer.

That you are here—that life exists and identity,

That the powerful play goes on, and you may contribute a verse.