By: Denny

At some time, we’ve either heard or said the saying, “Hindsight is better than foresight”. The implication is that when you’re in the middle of a situation you often don’t see clearly. Maybe it is a decision that needs to be made and, in the moment, you think you’re making the right choice. In retrospect, time has a way of proving you right or wrong. It can be a short time but may be years later when hindsight knocks on your door. As far as the future goes, it is easier to see where you’ve been compared to the unknown that lies ahead. In some ways it would be nice to know what tomorrow holds, but then there would be no surprises. Life would become boring and robotic, on the other hand, you could be overtaken by fear, worry, and anxiety. There are both good and bad things about the future that if we had knowledge of, they would affect the decisions we make today. What would you do if you knew the winning numbers of the next Power Ball lottery? Would you board a plane that you knew was going to crash? Would you let your kids go to school if you knew there would be another shooting on that day? Would you sell or invest in the stock market today if you knew what would happen tomorrow? Knowing what something would cost tomorrow might influence your purchases today. Even knowing the weather six months from now might be a factor in planning a trip or vacation. There are certain things in the future that are beyond our control, however, the choices people make today will determine many of the aspects of the future for us all. Would you still have voted the way you did if you knew how bad things would be today? There is another election coming in November so remember this: “If nothing changes, then nothing changes”, and things will get worse given the direction liberals and progressives are taking us. Elections matter! – Just saying.

Since life is basically a matter of choices we are constantly making, wouldn’t it be helpful to have a manual or a book to guide us in making the right ones? There is such a book, it is the Bible. Though it doesn’t give specific instructions pertaining to many decisions and choices we make such as: what career to pursue, where to live, to marry or not and to who, should you buy or rent a house. That is just a short list of some major choices and decisions I could think of that have the greatest impact on the future for most of us. Obviously, there are a multitude of other decisions we face and make daily that also steer the direction of our lives. Figuratively speaking, the Bible is like an owner’s manual that is included with the purchase of a major appliance, tools, electronic devices, all kinds of vehicles, and anything else you can imagine. They usually contain a warning section which most people read briefly, and instructions for care to extend the longevity of your investment. Even clothes and other apparel have a little tag telling the dos and don’ts of how to clean them. Clearly the Bible is full of dos and don’ts and warnings along with many ifs and thens. IF you obey God and His truths, THEN you will be blessed. IF not, THEN you will suffer the consequences. The universal fundamental law of sowing and reaping applies to everyone. The decisions you make today and the values that guide your life will someday yield a harvest. The question therefore is: What seeds are you planting today that may someday in the future cause you to say, “If I only knew then what I know now”. The Bible is the literal Word of God which reveals who He is. When it is read with believing faith, we gain wisdom and knowledge to know Him and seek His will for our lives. He also promises to give the Holy Spirit to those who ask. Luke 11:13   If you then being evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give the Holy Spirit to those who ask Him. Without the help of the Holy Spirit, we can’t understand God the father and His ways, much less His word. 1 Corinthians 2:14 But the natural man does not receive the things of the Spirit of God, for they are foolishness to him; nor can he know them, because they are spiritually discerned.  The Bible is full of examples of real people and the decisions they made both good and bad. They serve as a pattern to follow or to avoid. Not only does the Bible record the past, but it will also guide our present if allowed to do so. So many people have made predictions about the future only to fail and make fools of themselves. The future is in God’s hands, and he alone has knowledge of all tomorrows. Therefore, submit your life to Him, live for Him today, make wise decisions by consulting His word, ask for discernment, believe His promises, pray, and wait for the answers and trust Him with your future. Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him and He will direct your paths.

On many occasions, Jesus spoke plainly of future events that will occur before His eminent return, and they weren’t mere predictions. If you possess any biblical knowledge and discernment, you must agree that much of what He said is happening in our lifetime. There is yet to come a day when everyone will stand before God and be made to give account for their lives. What will you say? Hopefully you won’t hang your head in shame and say, “If I only knew then what I know now”. The biggest decision you need to make in this life is what will you do about Jesus. Will you accept or reject Him? Here’s the deal: You can know now what you will know then. The choice is yours to make today but choose wisely as your eternal destiny is at stake. If you call yourself a Christian, is your life, value system, and the decisions you make bringing glory to God and honoring Him? Hindsight is good if it gives you the foresight to make the right changes in the decisions you make today. We all mess up and have regrets about some of the decisions and choices we’ve made, but God can redeem your past and give you a new future. Don’t wait for tomorrow to ask Him because tomorrow may never come. Today’s excuses may be tomorrow’s hindsight that you may regret. God doesn’t want excuses; He only wants you. I want to share the following poem which I composed in 1996. I think it is a fitting ending to this blog post.

The Heart of the Father (based on Luke 14:16-24)

The heart of the Father says come to my table, into my presence, for I’ve made you able.

The heart of the Father is calling today, come to my table, and do not delay.

The heart of the Father says come enter in, surrender your life and be free from your sin.

O the heart of the Father is calling out, time is now short and soon He will shout.

So come to His table, resist Him no more, for the heart of the Father will soon close the door.

All is made ready and there’s still room you see, hear the Father’s heart sighing, “Oh where can they be?”

“Did you urge them to come?” “Have you told them plainly?”

“What excuse can be given, by them or by thee.”