#soap # Job 29 ## Title: Why is it dangerous to focus only on the past? ## Scripture: (Job 29:21-23) “People listened to me and waited silently; they kept silent for my advice. After I had spoken, they did not respond; my words fell on them drop by drop. They waited for me as people wait for the rain, and they opened their mouths as for the spring rains. (NET) ## Observation: I love nostalgia. I spend time every day remembering good times. I love thinking back to simple times, great experiences, and pleasant surprises. This is a good thing. The psalmist Asaph said he would remember the Lord’s amazing deeds of long ago (Psalm 77:11). There is nothing wrong with drawing strength and encouragement from former times. The challenge is when we try to only live in those times or if we do it so much that we lose perspective on today. We are currently living in what we will one day call the “good ole days.” There’s more going on around us than we realize. Many times we don’t realize it until later, but it is still happening. We must be careful not to dwell so much on the past that we forget to live in today. ## Application: Remember the past but live in today. ## Prayer: Thank You, Jesus, for being just as faithful now as You were then.