Why You Shouldn't Long to Go Back

Sometimes we just want to go back in time, don't we? Especially when life is hard. That's where Job arrives in chapter 29. He looks with longing on the days of old and desires to return. Who can blame him? Nothing good has transpired since the beginning of this story. Brutal loss, tortuous suffering, and endless unsolicited and unwise counsel have been his experience for long enough to make him cry out in anguish for the better days of old. 

Job 29:2–5 (ESV) “Oh, that I were as in the months of old, as in the days when God watched over me, 3 when his lamp shone upon my head, and by his light I walked through darkness, 4 as I was in my prime, when the friendship of God was upon my tent, 5 when the Almighty was yet with me, when my children were all around me,...

One thing you will see is that in the English translation of this chapter is how few sentences there are. Job expounds in long sentences recounting the glory of his former years. 

He speaks of the leadership role in his city, sitting by the city gates when others lauded him and revered him. 

Job 29:7–9 (ESV) When I went out to the gate of the city, when I prepared my seat in the square, 8 the young men saw me and withdrew, and the aged rose and stood; 9 the princes refrained from talking and laid their hand on their mouth;

He modeled care and compassion for those under his watch.

Job 29:14–16 (ESV) I put on righteousness, and it clothed me; my justice was like a robe and a turban. 15 I was eyes to the blind and feet to the lame. 16 I was a father to the needy, and I searched out the cause of him whom I did not know.

He considered that his future was secure. 

Job 29:18–20 (ESV) Then I thought, ‘I shall die in my nest, and I shall multiply my days as the sand, 19 my roots spread out to the waters, with the dew all night on my branches, 20 my glory fresh with me, and my bow ever new in my hand.’

He was revered for his words and many sought his counsel.

Job 29:21 (ESV) “Men listened to me and waited and kept silence for my counsel.

What a far cry from where he is now. 

But here's what we know that he doesn't at this moment. This is not the end. Today we DO revere Job and listen to his words. And not only us, but the Bible itself commends Job's patience to those who suffer in our present time. 

James 5:11 (ESV) Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful.

Today, even non-Christians throw out the term of some: "They have the patience of Job."

And so if there's one lesson to learn from Job's longing to go back is that the long-term picture of your life is best if you continue forward instead of going backward. God is not done, your story is not over, even after you die! You will have a testimony for others to see and extol if you do not give up. Going back because times are tough forfeits the blessing your story can be in the lives of countless others.

Solomon said: 

Ecclesiastes 7:10 (ESV) Say not, “Why were the former days better than these?” For it is not from wisdom that you ask this.

The best thing to do in the worst of times is to know God is working on a long-term deal and the trouble today will become a testimony tomorrow.

Galatians 6:9 (ESV) And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.