It was a golden age.

No—this is not 2026.

And this is not America.

This was a reference to a period in Europe from 1871 until 1914, the years between the Franco-Prussian War and World War I. It was a season marked by relative peace, stability, and the remarkable flourishing of culture, art, and science. In France, the Eiffel Tower was built. Cinema was born. Radioactivity was discovered. Modern germ theory was established. The French embraced the spirit of the age with a phrase that captured its mood: joie de vivre—the joy of living.

Yet the irony remains. A golden age is never proclaimed while it is being lived. It is only named in retrospect. The French would later call this era La Belle Époque—the Beautiful Era. Others would refer to it simply as the Golden Age. But those living in it did not know how close they were to catastrophe, nor how abruptly their confidence, stability, and optimism would be shattered.

Today, we once again hear talk of a new golden age—in America and elsewhere. There is prosperity, innovation, and renewed confidence. But history urges caution. It may be premature to label the present moment while we are still living inside it.

Which raises a deeper question. Is there such a thing as a spiritual golden age? Scripture suggests that God’s people rarely recognize their most faithful seasons while living in them. Faith, by its very nature, is not lived in hindsight. It is lived forward—often uncertain, often incomplete, and seldom labeled as “golden” in the moment. Once again, God’s Word gives us the answer.

These all died in faith, not having received the things promised, but having seen them and greeted them from afar…

Hebrews 11:13 (ESV)

Perhaps the true spiritual golden age is not marked by comfort, cultural dominance, or material prosperity, but by quiet trust, perseverance, and obedience—understood clearly only later, when we look back and see God’s hand guiding us through ordinary days.

Love and trust in the Lord; seek His will in your life.

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