Consider the Days of Old
Psalms 77 (note verse 5)
Intro: This is a Psalm of Asaph. Whether it is the Asaph of David’s day who was the chief singer and musician in the tabernacle or if it was one of his descendants who bore both his name and office amongst God’s people during the days of Israelite captivity is of little significance. What is of great significance is the condition of this man. He is spiritually distraught. He is in a place where God has not dealt with him in some time. It has destroyed his sleep and his peace. He wonders if God will ever work again, but he can’t help but remember the days of old. When he is reminded of these things, he is encouraged knowing nothing is too hard for God.
I think often about the church world of grandpa’s day. I want that today. “Gimme that ole time religion. It’s good enough for me!” I like old time singing, old time shouting, and old time sermons! Today we have substituted workshops for worship, programs for power, puppets for preachers, and planning for praying. God, Let others do what they will, but GIVE ME That OLD TIME RELIGION. It’s good enough for me! Is it important? Sure it is:
Deut 32:7 Remember the days of old, consider the years of many generations: ask thy father, and he will shew thee; thy elders, and they will tell thee.
Isa 46:9 Remember the former things of old: for I am God, and there is none else; I am God, and there is none like me
Ps 44:1 We have heard with our ears, O God, our fathers have told us, what work thou didst in their days, in the times of old.
There are some things of the “old time” that I want you to consider:
I. The Old Landmark: Deut 19:14 “Thou shalt not remove thy neighbour’s landmark, which they of old time have set in thine inheritance, which thou shalt inherit in the land that the LORD thy God giveth thee to possess it.” These landmarks were property posts that identified the boundaries of ownership. Land rightfully belonging to a man was not to be taken by another by moving the landmark. Today, many have taken the things of God by moving the landmark. Mom and Dad set up landmarks for me as a child. I respected them then, and I cherish them today!
II. The Old Gate: Nehemiah 3:6, They repaired the old gate of Jerusalem. It made Sanballet angry, and he fought against them with all he had. When we once more repair the old gate- raise the old time standards of right and wrong, decency and honor at the house of God, Satan will get angered and fight us with all he has. Many have condoned sin, coddled trouble makers in the church, and compromised everything that they believe in order to satisfy the crowds, but it is time to repair the old gate. It will keep out the things that do not belong at a church, and it will keep in the things that do belong. When they repaired the gate, God showed up (Neh 8:1-10).
III. The Old Men’s Council: I Kings 12:13, Rehoboam would not hearken to the council of the old men, but he followed the words of those who “came up with him.” As a result his nation was divided. Isaiah 25:1 says “counsels of old are faithfulness and truth.” The most untapped and disrespected resource in our nation today is the senior generation! We could learn much, if we would just listen.
IV. The Old Paths: Jeremiah 6:16 “Thus saith the LORD, Stand ye in the ways, and see, and ask for the old paths, where is the good way, and walk therein, and ye shall find rest for your souls. But they said, We will not walk therein.” The old path is a straight way. It is way of clean living. If you will walk in it, you can find rest, but if you rebel against it, conviction will continue to afflict your soul. Old time Christians should be old fashioned people. It should show in our deportment, dress, dialogue, and devotion to your family and God!
Conclusion: Read Ps 143. Some have waited too late to remember the days of old, and they only remembered as they suffered the judgment of God (Lamentations 1:7 “Jerusalem remembered in the days of her affliction and of her miseries all her pleasant things that she had in the days of old.”).
