Looking Backward to Move Forward

Come and see what God has done, how awesome his works in man’s behalf!

Psalm 66:5

It was a stormy night. I was driving slowly in a blinding rainstorm with a car following closely behind. I was having difficulty seeing the road ahead, but I noticed when I glanced in my rear view mirror that the lights of the car behind me illuminated the road markings. By frequently glancing, I was able to navigate somewhat better in my lane. 

Are you in a storm in your life that is veiling your forward direction? Perhaps it is time to look in your life’s rear view mirror. What did God reveal to you in a former time of crisis? What attributes of God strengthened you? What truths from God’s Word illuminated your path during that storm?

The Israelites were looking ahead at the task of defeating nations living in Canaan. God knew they were fearful, for their enemies were stronger. So God turned their focus to their past deliverance from the powerful Egyptians. He spoke through Moses: You saw with your own eyes the great trials, the signs and wonders, the mighty hand and outstretched arm, with which the Lord your God brought you out. The Lord your God will do the same to all the peoples you now fear…Do not be terrified by them, for the Lord your God, who is among you, is a great and awesome God (Deuteronomy 7:17-21).

The God who delivered Israel is the same God who will deliver you from or through your crisis. Believer, do not be afraid, for the Lord your God is in you, and He is a great and awesome God! God’s past work in your life is your present comfort. Focusing on God’s past work will help illuminate your path as you move forward in faith. The mighty hand and outstretched arm of God that has gone ahead of you in the past will do so in the future! 

Lord, strengthen me today by reminding me of your past great work in my life.

Jan Burkhart