Past Lessons Turn into Future Blessings

Tuesday, February 18

Past Lessons Turn into Future Blessings 

These forty years the Lord your God has been with you; you have not lacked a thing. Deuteronomy 2:7

In today’s passage we find Joshua giving a motivational speech to the Children of Israel. Joshua was now the leader of God’s people and as a leader he is reminding them of Gods goodness. He had been with them throughout all their wanderings in the wilderness, and following the death of Moses he had taken up the reigns of leadership. By his own testimony he was able to say to the people, “The Lord . . . has watched over your journey through this vast desert. These forty years the Lord your God has been with you, and you have not lacked anything” (Deuteronomy 2:7).

By now, we too have learned that the troubles of life (lemons) do not equal doom and gloom. As a matter of fact, if used correctly, you can make a pretty mean lemonade with the ingredients. There are seasons in life when it’s right to look back and remember with thanksgiving the lessons that we have learned in the past. When we think of the ways God has provided for you during those challenging times, we do so with a thankful heart understanding that each of these moments make us who we are today. Often, we get caught up in the forest and can’t see the trees, but it is good to go back and make a mental note of just how far God has brought you during a hard season of life.

But your job doesn’t end there. Once you are able to identify the ways in which God has helped you overcome adversity, it is time to help someone else in their time of need. Right now, with our world in such turmoil, people are hurting everywhere. Your job is to be a blessing to someone else. It may be as simple as striking up a genuine conversation by asking “How are you doing…I mean how are you REALLY doing?” You must be prepared for the answer because it may shock you to find out what people are going through without you even knowing it. Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on from time to time, a listening ear, a compassionate friend. Could you be that for someone today? Can you be a blessing to someone today, reminding them that God is able?