Avoiding the Rear View Mirror

Two months after the Israelites escaped Egypt, they began to grumble against Moses and Aaron. We read in Exodus 16:3,

"The Israelites said to them, 'If only we had died by the Lord’s hand in Egypt! There we sat around pots of meat and ate all the food we wanted, but you have brought us out into this desert to starve this entire assembly to death.'"

Here, the Israelites were free from the oppression of Egypt and they were traveling through the wilderness towards the Promised Land, to a land flowing with milk and honey where they would be free to worship God and live in freedom. Yet, they were dissatisfied and already ungrateful for the path to freedom God opened up for them. In spite of this, "the Lord said to Moses, “I will rain down bread from heaven for you."

This wouldn't be the last time the Israelites complained. Two years later, they began to complain again. This time they complained about the manna which God provided them as their daily sustenance.
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‭We read in Numbers 11:4-6,
"The rabble (disorderly crowd) with them began to crave other food, and again the Israelites started wailing and said, 'If only we had meat to eat! We remember the fish we ate in Egypt at no cost—also the cucumbers, melons, leeks, onions and garlic. But now we have lost our appetite; we never see anything but this manna!""

Even after all that they had suffered under the hand of Pharaoh, they preferred to return to endless hardship so they could have their immediate heart's desire.

We all have spent time in the desert where life is challenging and circumstances are difficult. During those times, we may find ourselves looking back to former days when we had a bigger bank account, or a nicer house, or a better job, or a particular relationship, or better health, or the vigor of youth. We may miss those days and find ourselves desiring those days, because we believe that if we were back in those situations, we would be more happy and satisfied with our life today.

That's exactly how the Israelites felt. But they forgot the difficult circumstances they had under Pharaoh. We also tend to forget the whole picture when we look back, longing for the past. We were probably dissatisfied with some area in our life then, just as we are now.

How do we avoid falling into that trap of longing for the former days? Let us read the words of Apostle Paul in ‭Philippians 4:11-13,
"I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through Christ who gives me strength."

Even though Paul had been stoned, flogged, jailed, insulted and was an old man by this time, he focused on being content and relied on Christ for strength to persevere. That ability to have contentment in any situation is only possible if we are thankful for the present day.

Paul teaches in ‭1 Thessalonians 5:16-18,
"Rejoice always, pray continually, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus."

We can be rejoiceful and thankful, because no matter our circumstances, God has our best interests at heart as we read in Romans 8:28,

“we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.”

Knowing that God is beside us and will work everything out, we can be thankful that we're not alone and lost in our circumstances.

The Israelites were not only ungrateful in the present, but they also lost sight of the prosperous future which God had waiting for them. They lost sight of the Promised Land.

God has a Promised future for us in His Kingdom where we will live with him in eternity where there will be no more pain, no more tears, no more struggle, no more oppression, no more death.

Apostle Paul wrote about looking forward to this promise in Philippians 3:13​-14,

“one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”

When we are focused on the future, we cannot be desiring the past. Consider why the windshield of a car is so big, yet the rear view mirror is so small. Our focus needs to be in front of us, not looking behind us.

Lastly, we need to remember our purpose while we are traveling through our individual deserts as Paul shared in ‭Acts 20:24,

"I consider my life worth nothing to me; my only aim is to finish the race and complete the task the Lord Jesus has given me—the task of testifying to the good news of God’s grace."

We can take our challenges in life and use them towards the glory of God as we lean on Him and are victorious in Him no matter our situation. As we do so, we can share our testimonies, share the reason why we can possess joy in any circumstance and the reason behind our faith of a bright future.

Let us look at the stark difference between the Israelites in the wilderness and those of unwavering faith whom Paul wrote about in Hebrews 11:13-16

"All these people were still living by faith when they died. They did not receive the things promised; they only saw them and welcomed them from a distance, admitting that they were foreigners and strangers on earth. People who say such things show that they are looking for a country of their own. If they had been thinking of the country they had left, they would have had opportunity to return. Instead, they were longing for a better country—a heavenly one. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for he has prepared a city for them."

As we make our way through the wilderness of life towards the city God has prepared for us, let us remember to be content and grateful for the manna God provides in our current circumstances, let us keep our eyes focused on the future Promised Land and let us remember our purpose to testify the good news. When we do, we will no longer be looking in the rear view mirror of life.
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