Looking Back, Looking Around, Looking Ahead
By Dean Collins
As I write today, I have only five books left in my Old Testament reading plan for the year. I’ll revisit a few Old Testament passages in the months ahead, but for the most part I’ve finished reading through the bulk of the Old Testament. In the coming weeks I’ll complete Chronicles, Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther.
As I’ve read through these books, one theme has become increasingly clear. Again and again, Moses and the prophets called God’s people to do three things:
Look back and remember.
Look around and honestly examine your life while recognizing what God has already done for you.
Look ahead to the future God has promised. Trust Him. Receive His grace. Keep moving forward until the day when we are finally home—truly home—with Jesus, when heaven comes to earth and all things are made new.
As I mentally review my Old Testament readings, I keep returning to Zechariah 4. Two verses from that chapter have become anchors in my own walk with God.
The first is Zechariah 4:6:
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit, says the Lord of hosts.”
To fully appreciate those words, it helps to remember what God had already said through the prophet Haggai:
“Yet now be strong, O Zerubbabel… Be strong… Work, for I am with you… My Spirit remains in your midst. Fear not.” (Haggai 2:4–5)
Zerubbabel and the Jewish exiles had returned to Jerusalem only to find overwhelming devastation. The temple lay in ruins. The city was broken. The task before them seemed impossible.
God’s command was simple: Be strong. Go to work. I am with you.
But in Zechariah 4, the obvious question remained: How could such a massive restoration ever happen?
Would it come through military strength? Political influence? A sudden financial windfall?
God’s answer was none of the above.
“Not by might, nor by power, but by my Spirit.”
If Zerubbabel paused to look back, he would remember the pattern of Israel’s history. Again and again, God accomplished what His people could never accomplish on their own. The same God who parted the sea, provided in the wilderness, defeated mighty enemies, and preserved His covenant people was still at work.
The same is true for us.
God’s Spirit continues to provide wisdom, strength, courage, and resources for the work He calls us to do.
Over the years, I have often prayed this verse when facing challenges far beyond my own ability. Whenever a task feels too large, I quietly remind myself:
Not by might. Not by power. But by Your Spirit.
There is another verse in Zechariah 4 that has become just as meaningful to me:
“For whoever has despised the day of small things shall rejoice.” (Zechariah 4:10)
When we face a major problem—a difficult diagnosis, financial pressure, a broken relationship, or an overwhelming responsibility—we are often tempted to wait for one dramatic solution.
But God frequently works through small things.
Perhaps Zerubbabel wished a host of angels would descend and instantly rebuild the temple. Instead, the work happened one stone at a time. Rubble had to be cleared. Plans had to be made. Foundations had to be laid. Day after day, faithful people simply kept working.
The same is true in our lives.
When we take the small step of obedience that is right in front of us, God meets us there. As we do what we can, He supplies what we cannot. His wisdom becomes clearer. His strength becomes sufficient. And if we lift our eyes from the problem long enough to look around, we often discover He has already been at work long before we noticed.
Finally, we must never lose sight of the future God has promised.
In the middle of today’s struggle, we cannot always see where the road is leading. But Scripture continually reminds us that God is writing a much bigger story than the chapter we are living today. He is accomplishing His purposes in us and through us, and one day His kingdom will come in all its fullness. We will finally see His will done on earth as it is in heaven.
So perhaps the Old Testament leaves us with three simple reminders:
Look back and remember God’s faithfulness.
Look around and join Him in the small acts of obedience before you today.
Look ahead with hope, knowing that God is leading you home.
Father, today we pause to remember that what You call us to do will never be accomplished by our strength or wisdom, but by Your Holy Spirit working within us. Help us look back and remember Your faithfulness. Help us look around and recognize You at work today as we embrace the small but necessary steps of obedience, surrender, and service. And help us look ahead with confidence, knowing You will faithfully lead us until the day we see You face to face. In Jesus’ name, amen.
Your Time with God’s Word
Haggai 2:4-5; Zechariah 4:6, 10-14 ESV
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