My grandpa was to say the least an unique man. He had no formal education. He could not read, write or do math, However, he was considered intelligent among men. His insights were extraordinary. Once I wanted to buy a new car. Of course I would have to finance it. After looking at several, I told my Grandpa which car I had selected to buy. He said “wait till Saturday”. “I want to show you something before you buy”. I waited. I could not think what he could show me.
I had completed High school and was in college. What could he possible show me about a new car. I had read everything about them. He could not even read. Then Saturday came. My Grandpa insisted we first visit a used car lot that had several older models of the car I wanted. We walked the lot. Some of those cars really looked bad and drove worst. My Grandpa said,”Son, in a few years, after you pay off your car, it will look and drive as these do. See what you will have in five years. The new had worn off those for sure. I looked amazed at his wisdom. He then took me to another lot where all their used cars shined and looked great. They even drove better than the first lot. My grandpa said “no man can see the future, but here you can see what your future car will look like when it's paid for. I chose a used car.."
Ecclesiastes 8-7 - "For he knoweth not that which shall be: for who can tell him when it shall be."
Mathew 24-36 - "But of that day and hour knoweth no man, no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only."
The future is unknown. I was so amazed how my Grandpa would know this since he could not read. I asked him how he knew. He smiled and said, "Your Grandma read the Bible to me." He then quoted a scripture Psalm 32-9 - "Be ye not as the horse, or as the mule, which have no understanding: whose mouth must be held in with bit and bridle, lest they come near unto thee."
He said, "I once bought a young mule. I thought I could train him to work. They are stubborn by nature, but this one would do nothing." He had no understanding of his job on the farm. Even bridled and in front of the plow, he just stood there. However, he was great in pulling a wagon that took your Grandma to Church, but would not move a muscle with the plow. "So your Grandma, a Bible reading woman, said, “Psalm 81-12 - So I gave them up unto their own hearts' lust: and they walked in their own counsels." He said, “I did the only thing possible. I choose not to be as the mule, but rather had an understanding of the nature of him. I gave this young mule to your Grandma for her Church going and I sought out an older well trained mule to do the farm work.” Without hesitation, the older mule always worked sun up to sun down and never once challenged the gentle tugging of my reins.
The lesson I learned was new is not always better. What appears bright and shiny today, with time, often tarnishes and loses its ability to perform. One can not see the future. However, if one looks at the past and studies it and trusts it, then one might learn the true value of things and determine if the thing sought after is worth while. Proverbs 3-5 - "Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths. Be not wise in thine own eyes: fear the LORD, and depart from evil."
Romans 15:4 - "For whatsoever things were written aforetime were written for our learning, that we through patience and comfort of the scriptures might have hope."
Titus 1:2 - "In hope of eternal life, which God, that cannot lie, promised before the world began."
Find an old book, called the Bible. Read it, trust it, and you will find your prize, joy and future.