Sunday, April 13, 2014

Looking Back

Looking Back
 
 
  • Psalm 105:5 Remember His marvelous works which He has done, His wonders, and the judgments of His mouth,
    • Sometimes we need to remember; to learn from the past. History can be a great teacher. To be wise we should not only learn from our own experiences, but also from those of others.  
    • What better source of history than the Bible? We can learn from the history in the Bible and gain perspective on our own lives.  
Looking Back with a Godly perspective at the following areas can help us grow in knowledge and wisdom.
 
 
Lessons
  • 1 Corinthians 10:6 Now these things became our examples, to the intent that we should not lust after evil things as they also lusted.
    • Paul pointed out to the Church at Corinth that what happened to the Jews in the Old Testament was an example to learn from. What examples from the Bible, your family history, your friends or your own life can you learn from? 
 
Landmarks
  • Joshua 4:6-7 that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ 7 Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever.”
    • These ‘stones’ commemorated the Nation of Israel crossing the river Jordan into the Promised Land. What ‘monuments’ serve as testimonies to great works of God in your life? 
  
Loves
  • Genesis 29:18 Now Jacob loved Rachel; so he said, “I will serve you seven years for Rachel your younger daughter.”
    • True love as defined in 1 Corinthians 13 is a wonderful gift from God. Who has loved you with a sacrificial love? Who has God brought into your life that allows you the opportunity to love sacrificially? 
 
Loses 
  • 2 Samuel 12:23 But now he is dead; why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.”
    • Since the fall of Adam, sin and death have been inevitable parts of human life. What loses can you celebrate because you know you will be reunited in Heaven? 
 
Legacies
  • Joshua 6:23 And the young men who had been spies went in and brought out Rahab, her father, her mother, her brothers, and all that she had. So they brought out all her relatives and left them outside the camp of Israel.
    • A prostitute in Jericho made the right decision and not only saved her family, but also became an ancestor to King David and Jesus Christ. How has your devotion to Christ impacted your legacy?
 
So, Looking Back with the right perspective can be very helpful. However, be careful not to get stuck in the past! Your previous successes, failures, hurts and accomplishments can also become stumbling blocks to your future growth. Don’t let pride, shame, guilt or arrogance drag you down.
 
 
Prayer
 
 
I pray dear Lord that Your Holy Spirit will guide me in using the history in the Bible and the experiences from my life and the lives of others to grow in knowledge and wisdom in such a way that You are honored. Forgive me when I look back with longing or excessive guilt. May the past help guide me into the future. May the hope that comes through saving faith in Jesus Christ be seasoned with the blessings and lessons of how You have moved throughout history. I praise You and pray to You in the name of Jesus, Amen.