“Look back. It’s in the looking back that we can begin to see how those frustrating things that happen to us, around us, even by us, how they are turned into something beautiful. But we usually don’t see that in the moment. We have to look back. And in so doing we can find a little perspective for when we look ahead.”

We see Providence in the rearview mirror. In my experience, it is usually far less clear looking over the dashboard. It’s when we look back that we can see how God was working all things together for his glory and our good.

The Israelites passed down their faith through these sort of rearview mirror narratives. “Look back at what God did for us,” they would tell their children. They would establish monuments known as “standing stones” representative of God’s faithful provision. When their children asked about the rocks they would invite these powerful stories of God’s providential care.

But when you read the Psalms there is a mixture of looking over the dashboard with anxiety coupled with warm memories of mile markers of grace. Maybe you are living with that kind of conflicted outlook. What should you do?

Look back. It’s in the looking back that we can begin to see how those frustrating things that happen to us, around us, even by us, how they are turned into something beautiful. But we usually don’t see that in the moment. We have to look back. And in so doing we can find a little perspective for when we look ahead.

When has God not been faithful? Look back. It’s there where you will find the certainty to trust him in the present. He’s not failed you. He won’t fail you.

Read More