Look Back, Look Ahead

Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith. Hebrews 12:2

With just a couple of days left in 2025, it’s natural to look back. Some moments make us smile. The birth of a baby. Graduation. A milestone birthday or anniversary. A wedding. Goals accomplished. Growth spiritually. Other moments might still hurt. Loss of a job or a loved one. The end of a long-term relationship. Health issues. Financial strain. Things you wish had gone differently. 

It’s good to stop and reflect on the year. Why? Because looking back helps us see where God was faithful, even in hard seasons. But, it’s also an excellent opportunity to look ahead with hope to a new year. It is a reset of sorts, a time to set new goals and consider and seek what God may want to do in and through us in 2026. 

Not too long ago, axe-throwing became a new pastime. I have participated in this activity a couple of times, once with the men in my church community group and once in Alaska. Before and during, I had to keep my eyes focused on the target. It is impossible to hit the target if you do not focus on it. Your aim depends on where you are looking. Our lives move in the direction of our focus. So, where should we focus?

I started my weekly devotions a year ago with one entitled ‘With Eyes Fixed on Him’, and I want to end with the same thought. We must seek God, and then trust that He knows best and has a plan. And, to do that, we must fix our eyes on Jesus. When we do, we find grace for the past and direction for the future. Let’s look at a great example of this in Scripture. 

In 2 Chronicles 19, King Jehoshaphat led the nation of Israel to follow the Lord, and he brought about significant spiritual reform. He should have been in a really great place. Still, one morning Jehoshaphat received some really scary news: a vast army of Moabites, Ammonites, and Meunites had come to fight against the Israelites. 2 Chronicles 20:3 tells us, “Jehoshaphat was afraid, and he resolved to seek the LORD.”  

The first thing Jehoshaphat did was go to the Lord. He called all of his people to pray and fast. Jehoshaphat’s prayer is found in verses 6-12.  He proclaimed God’s sovereignty and might. He recalled His faithfulness. He then took what they were facing to God.  2 Chronicles 20:12 says, “For we are powerless before this vast number that comes to fight against us. We do not know what to do, but we look to you.” 

Then, God responded in verse 15, “Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast number, for the battle is not yours, but God’s.” He told the people to go out the next day and position themselves, stand still, and see the salvation of the Lord. He reassured them that they would not fight the battle. King Jehoshaphat and the Israelites did as God commanded. And, they looked to God and began to praise and worship Him right there on the battlefield. And, the Lord sent an ambush and defeated the enemy armies. None of them had escaped. 

 We are drawn to whatever our eyes are fixed on. The enemy wants us looking behind us and all around. He wants us to believe that if our circumstances fall apart, we will too. To stop the pattern of worry and fear and missteps, we must resolve to seek the Lord like King Jehoshaphat. 

 We look to Him because He is trustworthy! We look to Him because He is faithful! We look to Him because He can do what no one else can do! We look to Him because He promises to fight for us! God has been faithful before, and He will be faithful always. As we begin 2026, may we keep our eyes on Him!

Call to Action

Look back honestly. Make a list of the accomplishments and good things from this year. Now make a list of those times that were a struggle or not as you had wanted. Next to the things on your list, note how you saw God in the midst of each one. What did you learn about yourself?

Look ahead hopeful. What do you want to trust God with in the new year? What are some goals for 2026? I love this quote from Craig Groeschel, “You cannot do what you don’t define.” 

Digging Deeper

Read these verses as encouragement for the new year: Joshua 1:9, Psalm 37:5, Proverbs 16:3, Psalm 20:4, Lamentations 3:22-24, Romans 15:13, Philippians 3:13-14, Philippians 4:6, James 1:17, 1 Peter 5:7.

Prayer

God, thank You for walking with us through this year—the good days and the hard ones. Help us to let go of what we need to from 2025 and trust You with what’s ahead in 2026. As we step into a new year, help us to keep our eyes fixed on You. Amen.

Copyright © 2025 Kyle Cravens