Never Look Back?
By: J. B. Hixson, Ph.D.
www.notbyworks.org
December 31, 2009

"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)

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).  But 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?  A comparison of Scripture with Scripture suggests that there is in fact a proper time to examine the events of days gone by and learn the 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.  As we stand on the precipice of a new year, there is no better time to look back and learn the lessons of a year that soon will be tucked away in the folds of history, never to be relived.  Yet, while time offers no "do-overs," the memories of this past year 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 to us over the past year, we are emboldened to face the coming year undaunted by fear 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 to drawn on.  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!

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 year, 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 coming year.

As another year winds down, 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.  But do take a moment to reflect on the rock from which you were hewn, and rest in God's faithfulness.  Happy New Year!