LOOKING BACK GIVES HOPE FOR WHAT'S AHEAD

In the book of Deuteronomy, Moses is preparing the Israelites to enter the Promised Land. He restates God’s Law, and charges them to follow it. In Deut. 11:1–7 he reminds the Israelite parents that they are the ones who have experienced the way the Lord led and protected them in the wilderness. Their children didn’t experience the miraculous deliverance from Egypt, the crossing of the Red Sea, and many other signs and wonders.

Not only were the parents to follow God’s Law, they were to teach their children to do so also. Earlier, in Deut. 8:2, Moses had instructed the people, “Remember how the Lord your God led you through the wilderness for these forty years, humbling you and testing you to prove your character, and to find out whether or not you would obey his commands.” Undoubtedly these parents were to recount to their children all that God had done for them.

The same is true for us. It’s good to recount God’s care for us, and share those stories with our children. My father’s autobiography is full of stories of God’s care and provision. Reading (and re-reading) it encourages me! I’ve seen God do things in my own life—some I would consider miracles. Recalling God’s care for us in the past gives us confidence of His care for us in the future. And sharing these stories with our children builds their understanding of God’s love and care for them.

Yes, looking back gives hope for what’s ahead!