The Prophetic Word - Day 9: Looking back can forfeit what’s ahead.

“Why is the Lord bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?" And they said to one another, "Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt."”

‭‭Numbers‬ ‭14‬:‭3‬-‭4‬ ‭ESV‬‬

One day as Jesus was walking along the road to Jerusalem, He was encountered by people who wanted to follow Him. But, they had excuses as to why they couldn’t immediately follow. One said that he would follow Jesus, but first needed to say goodbye to his family. Jesus responded to him with this:

“Jesus said to him, "No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God."”

‭‭Luke‬ ‭9‬:‭62‬ ‭ESV‬‬

The life Jesus was living was not an easy life. He went from place to place doing the will of the Father. He also knew that the time was near that He would be betrayed. There was no need for anyone to start out walking with Him if they had any reservations.

Given, we are not facing the same types of challenges Jesus’ disciples faced. However, the walk of faith can be very difficult—if not impossible—for the double-minded. Whereas a life of following Christ is full of great joy, it is also full of great challenges that can only be navigated by keeping our eyes on Him.

Now, by the grace of God, we hope that most Christians will stay the course and not turn back; however, the tendency to look back when pressure comes, will prove to undermine the Christian walk.

Sadly, we are instructed that one of the signs we will see right before the coming of Jesus Christ is that of a great “falling away” (Apostasy) of those who were once faithful to Christ.

“Let no one in any way deceive or entrap you, for that day will not come unless the apostasy comes first [that is, the great rebellion, the abandonment of the faith by professed Christians], and the man of lawlessness is revealed, the son of destruction [the Antichrist, the one who is destined to be destroyed],”

‭‭2 Thessalonians‬ ‭2‬:‭3‬ ‭AMP‬‬

In our opening scripture we see one of the many times when the children of Israel expressed their desire to go back to Egypt. Now, bear in mind, they were in bondage in Egypt. Indeed, they were required to work very hard and were abused. Yet—faced with the prospect of having to fight—they looked back with fondness at a time when they were slaves!

Remember, the enemy of your soul wants to keep you looking back. Some look back and can’t get past who they were, allowing guilt and shame to keep them from walking an abundant life in Jesus Christ. Others, look back to the pleasures of sin and begin to desire that more than what God offers.

Let us not fall prey to the effort of the enemy to have us always looking back. At the very least, looking back while trying to go forward, is fraught with the danger of stumbling and falling.

“Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne. Think of all the hostility he endured from sinful people; then you won’t become weary and give up.”

‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12‬:‭1‬-‭3‬ ‭NLT‬‬

The Lord leads, guides, and upholds us with His precious Holy Spirit in this life and promises glory in eternity. Let’s stay the course, keeping our eyes on Jesus, lest, in looking back, we forfeit it all.

Peace to you.

Jesus is coming! Get ready for Him!

#ThePropheticWord