“REAR VIEW MIRRORS AND WINDSHIELDS”
(Exodus 15:22 – 18:27)
And the whole congregation of the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron in the wilderness, and the people of Israel said to them, “Would that we had died by the hand of the LORD in the land of Egypt, when we sat by the meat pots and ate bread to the full, for you have brought us out into this wilderness to kill this whole assembly with hunger.” – Exodus 16:2-3
It’s quite obvious to everyone, but you probably have never stopped to think about it. In every vehicle ever made, there are two objects in front of the driver – the windshield and the rear-view mirror. And, the windshield is always much larger than the rear-view mirror! The driver may look at or through either the windshield or the rear-view mirror, and both are needed to drive successfully. But, the windshield is far larger than the rear-view mirror, and a driver must look through the windshield far more than glancing at the rear-view mirror. You need to keep your eyes on where you are going, not where you have been.
In our text, the people of Israel had been set free from captivity in Egypt, and were on their way to the promised land. But, as they encountered the wilderness area, and things were happening that they were not expecting, they began to look “in the rear-view mirror” more than looking forward! Moses and Aaron told them that they would “see the glory of the Lord,” but the people didn’t see what they expected, and continually became discouraged. In fact, the people expressed a desire to have stayed in Egypt, and reminisced only about the food they ate there, forgetting their slavery!
How often do we do the same things as the Israelites did? We think lovingly of certain things in the past, while forgetting what God has delivered us from. We anticipate instantaneous answers to our prayers to God, instead of keeping our attention on Him, and looking forward to where He is leading us.
God has promised us that He will meet all our need according to His riches in glory! I have noticed that what God has allowed me to experience in the past has prepared me for what He has for me in the future! An occasional glance in the “rear-view mirror” helps to keep my perspective on what lies ahead as I look through His “windshield!”
Let’s pray…
God, thank you for what you have already done in my life, as you prepare me for what lies ahead. I recognize that You have promised to supply all my needs according to Your riches in glory. You have promised to never leave nor forsake me, and that you will lead and guide me my Your Spirit. I look forward to what You have already planned for me as I continue to serve You all the days of my life.
About our Author
Tim Satryan has been in full time ministry since 1980. He has served five churches in four states. He has also served as the District Youth and Music Director for the PennDel Ministry Network of the Assemblies of God, was the Presbyter for the state of Delaware for over a decade, and for a number of years traveled with the AG Church Multiplication Network, teaching church planting and church revitalization.
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