I want to attribute the first half of this article to the teaching of Pastor David Jeremiah, as found in the October issue of his ‘Turning Points’ magazine and devotional. I believe the assorted bits of wisdom I have compiled here are of value in sharing with the Rapture Ready readership. As always, Dr. David Jeremiah includes biblical scripture verses to support his thoughts and writing. I have inserted my own personal added opinions as well, primarily in the second half of the text.
Journalists believe they know what is going on in the world, and historians think they can explain what has happened in the past. But a true understanding of the unfolding events in world history requires wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. It requires knowing that God has a plan for this planet and that everything in the past has been orchestrated under the governing eye of His Providence.
Everything occurring now is aligning with His long-term intentions as the Most High rules over the affairs of men (Daniel 4:17). And He changes the times and the seasons; He removes kings and raises up kings; He gives wisdom to the wise and knowledge to those who have understanding (Daniel 2:21).
We would be wise to look over the course of our own individual lives to see how the guiding goodness of God has led our steps, our stops, and every stage along the way. A man’s heart plans his way, but the Lord directs his steps (Proverbs 16:9).
Without the Lord, our lives are scattered events leading to the grave, but not for the followers of Jesus Christ. He plans our days, orders our steps, and arranges the seasons of our lives. We discern His hand on the years gone by and trust His hand for what is yet to come.
Some Christians believe we should primarily focus on what lies ahead of us, based on what the apostle Paul said, “One thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead. I press toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)
And that is very true; our primary focus should be on the future going forward. But when it comes to forgetting the past, I personally believe Paul was referring to forgetting all the bad things in our past, but not necessarily all the good things. We cannot discern God’s hand on the years gone by without looking back to the past.
The Bible is full of genealogies, which provide us the knowledge of how many of the Bible’s main players fit together through the centuries right up to the direct lineage of Jesus’s human ancestry. And beyond that, the Bible is jam-packed full of a variety of historical references.
King David, a man after God’s own heart (high praise in my opinion), is how God referred to him in 1 Samuel 13:14. David once stated to God, “I remember the days of old; I meditate on all Your works; I consider the work of Your hands” (Psalm 143:5). King David enjoyed looking back at various times to discern God’s hand of blessing and protection on his life through the years.
We need to sometimes look back to thank God for all His blessings and guidance throughout our lives, and to ponder God’s goodness, grace, and mercies over the years through the shed blood and sacrifice, on our behalf, of God’s only Son, Jesus Christ. Jesus willingly died on a cross to make us righteous with God the Father by forgiving all our sins, past, present, and future, through His death and resurrection, making it possible for all believers in Jesus Christ to live in heaven for all eternity after our earthly lives are over.
Jesus died and rose ‘once’ for us, so we can live twice, once here on Earth, according to His plan for us, and again in heaven with Him. Jesus paid the price for our sins as the Lamb of God to redeem us in the sight of God the Father.
In closing, I would suggest a bit of wisdom about looking back in your life, per Dr. Jeremiah, that if you have ever been separated from friends or family, trust that God has a purpose in your pain (Romans 8:28). Do everything you can to be reunited with those you love (Romans 12:18).
May God bless you now and always as we all travel down the road of life into the future, but with our eyes sometimes glancing into the rearview mirror of our world and personal history.
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