Forget the past and reach fourth

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before..." (Phil. 3:13 KJV)

It’s easier to see after-the-fact

Many times over the years I really wanted something that I thought was right for me. But, for one reason or another, I didn’t get it. This was true concerning jobs I had applied for, things I wanted to obtain, girls I wanted to date, and even places I wanted to travel to. And, as I look back, I can clearly see that the hand of God had been at work. And, where I am today, is very different (in a positive way) than what it would have been had I gotten what I was sure I wanted back then.

God knows the future and what’s best for us

“For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, declares the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts.” (Isa. 55:8-9 ESV)

God has good plans for us

“For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope.” (Jer. 29:11 ESV)

Therefore…

“Come now, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town and spend a year there and trade and make a profit”— yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, “If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that.” As it is, you boast in your arrogance. All such boasting is evil.” (James 4:13-16 ESV)

And, remember this…

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” (Prov. 16:9 ESV)