Past Present Future

Main Point: If we will learn from the past we’ll live better in the present and be excited about the future.

Learn from the past that God is faithful.

“I will remember the deeds of the LORD; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” —Psalm 77:11-12

Here are the stages in the journey of the Israelites when they came out of Egypt by divisions under the leadership of Moses and Aaron. At the LORD’S command Moses recorded the stages in their journey. This is their journey by stages: The Israelites set out from Rameses on the fifteenth day of the first month, the day after the Passover. They marched out defiantly in full view of all the Egyptians, who were burying all their firstborn, whom the LORD had struck down among them; for the LORD had brought judgment on their gods. The Israelites left Rameses and camped at Sukkoth. —Numbers 33:1-5

“…I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” —Matthew 28:20b

Live by faith in the present moment.

Jesus replied, “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” —Luke 9:62

On the plains of Moab by the Jordan across from Jericho the LORD said to Moses, “Speak to the Israelites and say to them: ‘When you cross the Jordan into Canaan, drive out all the inhabitants of the land before you. Destroy all their carved images and their cast idols, and demolish all their high places. Take possession of the land and settle in it, for I have given you the land to possess. —Numbers 33:50-53

Look ahead by faith to the best God has for you.

Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. —Proverbs 4:25

“… (T)he families of the tribe of Reuben, the tribe of Gad and the half-tribe of Manasseh have received their inheritance. These two and a half tribes have received their inheritance east of the Jordan across from Jericho, toward the sunrise.” —Numbers 34:14-15

(Moses) regarded disgrace for the sake of Christ as of greater value than the treasures of Egypt, because he was looking ahead to his reward. —Hebrews 11:26

Takeaway: Reflect on the past, live in the present, get excited about the future.