June 26 – Learning from the Past

 

Job 8:8–9

“Ask the former generation and find out what their ancestors learned, for we were born only yesterday and know nothing.”

SITREP:

When you're trying to make sense of chaos—whether it's on the battlefield or in your own soul—do you ever pause and ask: Has anyone walked this before me? That’s not weakness. That’s wisdom. And this verse urges you to remember that you're not the first to face suffering, confusion, or moral wreckage. The best soldiers don’t go into the unknown alone—they study what others did right... and wrong. Spiritual survival works the same way.

These words come from Bildad, one of Job’s friends. While his counsel later misses the mark in blaming Job for his suffering, here he speaks a truth worth holding onto: wisdom often lives in the voices of those who’ve already been through the fire. In ancient cultures, knowledge wasn’t kept in books—it was passed down through stories, testimonies, and scars. Survival, both physical and spiritual, meant paying attention to those who’d walked the hard roads before you.

Breaking Down the Verse:

“Ask the former generation…”
– Reach out to those who’ve seen more than you. Their experience is a resource, not a relic. Don’t waste it.

“…and find out what their ancestors learned.”
– Don’t stop at surface-level stories. Dig deep into what was learned—not just what happened. There’s treasure buried in their pain.

“For we were born only yesterday and know nothing.”
– This isn’t self-loathing—it’s humility. Admitting you don’t know everything is the first step to actually learning something.

How This Grounds a Combat Veteran’s Faith:

In the military, there’s no substitute for lived experience. You learn to shut up and listen when a seasoned vet talks—because they’ve earned that respect. The same rule applies to faith.

Elders in the faith have seen spiritual warfare you may not even recognize yet. Learn from them so you don’t get blindsided.

You’re not less of a warrior for asking questions—you’re more effective for seeking wisdom.

And someday, your scars may teach someone else to avoid theirs. Your story isn’t a wound—it’s a weapon, if you wield it well.

God’s truth didn’t start with you, and it won’t end with you. You're one chapter in a longer campaign. Don’t ignore the strategy logs left behind by those who endured before you.

ENDEX:

You’re not breaking new ground—you're walking a road carved by those who survived it first. Job 8:8–9 reminds you that humility is a weapon in your arsenal. Wisdom comes from seeking, listening, and learning. Honor the ones who came before you. Learn their lessons. Then lead with what you've gained—so others won’t have to bleed where you did.

AAR:

When you’re trying to make sense of what’s in front of you, do you ever stop to look behind you—at the lessons already paid for in blood, sweat, and time? Job 8:8–9 challenges you to ask the former generation and consider what they learned. You’ve had mentors, senior leaders, old warriors who carried wisdom forged in harder fights than yours. Are you listening to them—or repeating battles they already won? You don’t have to learn every lesson the hard way. The scars of others can become your training ground—if you’re humble enough to ask.

Drawing Strength From the Fights That Came Before

You’ve inherited more than just tactics and tools—you’ve inherited testimony. Job 8:8–9 speaks directly to the seasoned warrior who understands that experience matters, and that those who came before you weren’t just placeholders—they were pioneers. For the combat veteran, this verse reframes wisdom as a legacy: something earned through fire, preserved through story, and passed down with reverence. Your forebears may be gone, but their battles still speak. Their victories, their mistakes, their faith under fire—it’s all intel for your current mission. Don’t move like you’re the first to walk this path. You’ve got a trail marked by warriors who didn’t quit. Walk in their steps, learn from their grit, and keep pushing forward with a deeper sense of where you come from—and why it matters.

Make your voice count—share what you’ve lived.

Share your experiences in the comments below. Your words could encourage someone else walking a similar path.

If you're comfortable, include as much or as little personal detail as you’d like. We suggest:

• Name
• Veteran, Retired, Family Member etc.
• Service Branch
• Years of Service (or Deployment Dates and Locations)

Every story matters—and yours might be exactly what someone else needs to hear.