Never Look Back?
By J.B. Hixson, Ph.D.
01/07/2020
“Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.” (Isaiah 51:1)
Someone has said, “When your past calls, don’t answer. It has nothing new to say!” There is a lot of truth in that adage. Indeed, the maxim “never look back” is a frequent refrain of visioneering experts and leadership gurus. “Don’t dwell on the past,” they insist. “Look to the future,” they proclaim, “so that you won’t be paralyzed by the past.” In some respects, this is not bad advice. After all, the Apostle Paul himself pledged to “forget what is behind” and “press toward what lies ahead.” (Phil. 3:12–14) Yet, is it true that there is never a time to reflect on the past? Are we forbidden from ever looking back to seek the counsel of history and experience? According to the Bible, there are in fact times when examining events from days gone by can help us learn certain lessons that life has for us to learn.
The prophet Isaiah, for example, encouraged the people of Judah to “look to the rock from which they were hewn.” (Isa. 51:1) He was writing about 700 years before Christ, at a time when a heavy, deep darkness had settled over the nation. The Assyrians had invaded, and the Babylonians were threatening. They needed a light to come. The promise of a global kingdom of peace and justice and righteousness that had been given by God several centuries earlier seemed like a distant dream. All hope appeared lost. Then Isaiah the prophet arrived with a message from Yahweh. It was a message that not only looked forward to a better day, but also looked back with a reminder of God’s promise of a Messiah who would come and bring light to a dark and dreary world.
Sometimes we have to look back to gain perspective and to bolster our faith. Our faith, like that of the nation of Judah, is built upon the promises of a trustworthy God; and a survey of history validates His trustworthiness. It is important that we recall the lessons of life before they become tucked away in the folds of history, only to be forgotten. Yet, while time offers no “do-overs,” the memories of the past live on and serve a valuable purpose in our lives. There are at least three important reasons to look back.
First, the call to look back is a call to remember God’s faithfulness. The “rock” from which Judah was hewn refers to God’s unconditional promise through Abraham (Isa. 51:2) that one day the entire world would be blessed through Israel. Although the present situation for Judah seemed bleak, a survey of history would remind them that God has been faithful in the past and He will be faithful throughout the future. Likewise, as we recount God’s faithfulness, we are emboldened to face the future undaunted by fears of what may lie ahead.
Second, looking back also provides an opportunity to hear the rebukes of life (Prov 15:31). Life can be a great teacher. The nation of Judah had a rich history of national experiences on which they could draw for insight. By recalling past experiences, we too can gain wisdom for handling future circumstances and crises. The phrase “learn from your mistakes” is not some empty axiom; it is a biblical principle! As one sage put it, “Wisdom is metabolized suffering.”
Finally, as we look back, we also gain an opportunity to pass on our heritage to those who come after us. By reflecting on and recording historical experiences, the leaders in Judah were able to teach younger Jews about God’s dealings with His chosen nation over the centuries. Similarly, as we rehearse the events of the past, and reflect on them with our children, it provides a teachable moment to pass on the great narrative of faith. “Look what God has done for us.” And, “See how good our God is!” become underlying themes that will help navigate us through the ebb and flow of the future.
Let me encourage you to take a moment to look back. Don’t linger there. Don’t dwell on the past and allow it to paralyze you. However, do take a moment to reflect on the rock from which you were hewn, and rest in God’s faithfulness.
01/07/2020
“Listen to Me, you who follow after righteousness, you who seek the Lord: Look to the rock from which you were hewn, and to the hole of the pit from which you were dug.” (Isaiah 51:1)
Someone has said, “When your past calls, don’t answer. It has nothing new to say!” There is a lot of truth in that adage. Indeed, the maxim “never look back” is a frequent refrain of visioneering experts and leadership gurus. “Don’t dwell on the past,” they insist. “Look to the future,” they proclaim, “so that you won’t be paralyzed by the past.” In some respects, this is not bad advice. After all, the Apostle Paul himself pledged to “forget what is behind” and “press toward what lies ahead.” (Phil. 3:12–14) Yet, is it true that there is never a time to reflect on the past? Are we forbidden from ever looking back to seek the counsel of history and experience? According to the Bible, there are in fact times when examining events from days gone by can help us learn certain lessons that life has for us to learn.
The prophet Isaiah, for example, encouraged the people of Judah to “look to the rock from which they were hewn.” (Isa. 51:1) He was writing about 700 years before Christ, at a time when a heavy, deep darkness had settled over the nation. The Assyrians had invaded, and the Babylonians were threatening. They needed a light to come. The promise of a global kingdom of peace and justice and righteousness that had been given by God several centuries earlier seemed like a distant dream. All hope appeared lost. Then Isaiah the prophet arrived with a message from Yahweh. It was a message that not only looked forward to a better day, but also looked back with a reminder of God’s promise of a Messiah who would come and bring light to a dark and dreary world.
Sometimes we have to look back to gain perspective and to bolster our faith. Our faith, like that of the nation of Judah, is built upon the promises of a trustworthy God; and a survey of history validates His trustworthiness. It is important that we recall the lessons of life before they become tucked away in the folds of history, only to be forgotten. Yet, while time offers no “do-overs,” the memories of the past live on and serve a valuable purpose in our lives. There are at least three important reasons to look back.
First, the call to look back is a call to remember God’s faithfulness. The “rock” from which Judah was hewn refers to God’s unconditional promise through Abraham (Isa. 51:2) that one day the entire world would be blessed through Israel. Although the present situation for Judah seemed bleak, a survey of history would remind them that God has been faithful in the past and He will be faithful throughout the future. Likewise, as we recount God’s faithfulness, we are emboldened to face the future undaunted by fears of what may lie ahead.
Second, looking back also provides an opportunity to hear the rebukes of life (Prov 15:31). Life can be a great teacher. The nation of Judah had a rich history of national experiences on which they could draw for insight. By recalling past experiences, we too can gain wisdom for handling future circumstances and crises. The phrase “learn from your mistakes” is not some empty axiom; it is a biblical principle! As one sage put it, “Wisdom is metabolized suffering.”
Finally, as we look back, we also gain an opportunity to pass on our heritage to those who come after us. By reflecting on and recording historical experiences, the leaders in Judah were able to teach younger Jews about God’s dealings with His chosen nation over the centuries. Similarly, as we rehearse the events of the past, and reflect on them with our children, it provides a teachable moment to pass on the great narrative of faith. “Look what God has done for us.” And, “See how good our God is!” become underlying themes that will help navigate us through the ebb and flow of the future.
Let me encourage you to take a moment to look back. Don’t linger there. Don’t dwell on the past and allow it to paralyze you. However, do take a moment to reflect on the rock from which you were hewn, and rest in God’s faithfulness.
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