The Old Watch

(Isaiah 46:9 NASB) Remember the former things long past, For I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is no one like Me,

When we try to relive our past life it is usually because we are not happy with our present life. Trying to live in the past is neither profitable nor fulfilling because our present life will not allow it.

I am not suggesting that we should forget our past because the past should be a standard (regardless of its testing), from which our life values are learned. The tests we experience in our past should build the strength we need to overcome any difficulties of the future. On the other hand the blessings of the past are the building blocks of our faith that are needed to live a happy life in our future.

The point is we should neither forget our past, nor try to relive it, but learn from it and move on. Whining or feeling sorry for ourselves (in spite of a difficult past) is a pathetic option and should be rejected.

I have noticed in the last few months how some of the pioneers of the past generation are being overlooked by the younger generation. Some were even ignored, even though they are still a reservoir of wisdom. Just because they are tired and worn out on the outside does not mean they are not rich on the inside.

The other day I was going through a box in my storage closet and I came across an old Timex watch I used to wear while working on my ranch. I was surprised that I still had the old watch because I sold the ranch about thirty years ago.

The band had rotted off and the watch was completely tarnished and the face was all scratched. The watch was so corroded that I figured if I tried to wind it the stem would fall off. However, I did wind the old watch without any problem and it still ran perfectly even though I had not worn it in thirty years. I thought to myself...it is not the way things look on the outside that counts…it is how they work on the inside.

Perhaps that is the way it is with people also. Just because one is old and worn out on the outside does not mean they are not still valuable on the inside.

When our text said that we should “Remember the former things long past...” it was actually talking about the historical things done by God. However, I believe this scripture shows us a principle that would also apply to our past as well and how we should remember it and be thankful for it. 

Father,

Thank You for showing me the value of my old watch…that of keeping time. My old Timex may not have the same beauty and value as a Rolex, but both do the same thing. The pioneers of the past may appear old and tarnished like the Timex and the younger more fiery generation may look like the expensive Rolex, but in Your eyes they have the same purpose and value.

Amen