We often spend so much energy bracing for the next hit that we forget to count the ones we’ve already survived. It’s easy to get caught up in the "what-ifs" of a blurry future, but as the old hymn says, "My hope is built on nothing less than Jesus' blood and righteousness." (My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less - My hope is built on nothing less Than Jesus' blood and righteousness; I dare not trust the sweetest frame, But wholly lean on Jesus' name. - On Christ, the solid Rock, I stand; All other ground is sinking sand, All other ground is sinking sand.)
Life has a way of feeling like the ground is constantly shifting. Maybe right now, the future looks more like a thick fog than a clear path. I can’t promise you that the road ahead will be smooth, or that the stability you’re craving is just around the corner. Jesus was pretty direct about this:
John 14:25-28 NKJV [25] “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [28] You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
When you feel like you can’t look forward without breaking, look back.
Thus Far, the Lord Has Helped Us
After a hard-won victory, Samuel took a stone and set it up as a monument. He named it Ebenezer, which means "stone of help,"
I Samuel 7:12 NKJV Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (emphasis mine)
Samuel didn't build it because the war was over forever; he built it because he needed a physical reminder of God’s past faithfulness to sustain the nation through future trials. We need our own Ebenezers. We need those mental—or even physical—markers that say, "I didn't think I'd survive that season, but He carried me."
Psalms 77:10-15 NKJV [10] And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” [11] I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. [12] I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. [13] Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? [14] You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. [15] You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah (emphasis mine)
A Continuous Foundation
Maintaining a strong foundation in faith isn't a "one and done" event; it’s a continuous process of regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. It’s about asking ourselves if our priorities are truly aligned with His will or if we’re trying to build our own foundations on sand. Jesus reminded us that:
Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV [24] “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: [25] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (emphasis mine)
When we look back at the "stones" of our lives, we see the pattern of His guidance. We see that even when we were wandering, He was working, and His "compassions never fail”.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV [22] Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
If you are in a season where the future feels unbearable, stop trying to peer into the fog. Turn around. Look at the track record of the God who has been with you since the beginning.
Psalms 18:1-2 NKJV[1] I will love You, O Lord, my strength. [2] The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
II Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV [7] And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. [8] Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. [9] And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
Joshua 4:4-7 NKJV [4] Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; [5] and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, [6] that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ [7] Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever. (emphasis mine)
The God who has been faithful "thus far" isn't going anywhere.
Hebrews 13:8 NKJV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
If He brought you through the last storm, He is already standing in the middle of this one with you.
Life has a way of feeling like the ground is constantly shifting. Maybe right now, the future looks more like a thick fog than a clear path. I can’t promise you that the road ahead will be smooth, or that the stability you’re craving is just around the corner. Jesus was pretty direct about this:
John 14:25-28 NKJV [25] “These things I have spoken to you while being present with you. [26] But the Helper, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and bring to your remembrance all things that I said to you. [27] Peace I leave with you, My peace I give to you; not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid. [28] You have heard Me say to you, ‘I am going away and coming back to you.’ If you loved Me, you would rejoice because I said, ‘I am going to the Father,’ for My Father is greater than I.
When you feel like you can’t look forward without breaking, look back.
Thus Far, the Lord Has Helped Us
After a hard-won victory, Samuel took a stone and set it up as a monument. He named it Ebenezer, which means "stone of help,"
I Samuel 7:12 NKJV Then Samuel took a stone and set it up between Mizpah and Shen, and called its name Ebenezer, saying, “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” (emphasis mine)
Samuel didn't build it because the war was over forever; he built it because he needed a physical reminder of God’s past faithfulness to sustain the nation through future trials. We need our own Ebenezers. We need those mental—or even physical—markers that say, "I didn't think I'd survive that season, but He carried me."
Psalms 77:10-15 NKJV [10] And I said, “This is my anguish; But I will remember the years of the right hand of the Most High.” [11] I will remember the works of the Lord; Surely I will remember Your wonders of old. [12] I will also meditate on all Your work, And talk of Your deeds. [13] Your way, O God, is in the sanctuary; Who is so great a God as our God? [14] You are the God who does wonders; You have declared Your strength among the peoples. [15] You have with Your arm redeemed Your people, The sons of Jacob and Joseph. Selah (emphasis mine)
A Continuous Foundation
Maintaining a strong foundation in faith isn't a "one and done" event; it’s a continuous process of regular self-reflection and openness to God's guidance. It’s about asking ourselves if our priorities are truly aligned with His will or if we’re trying to build our own foundations on sand. Jesus reminded us that:
Matthew 7:24-25 NKJV [24] “Therefore whoever hears these sayings of Mine, and does them, I will liken him to a wise man who built his house on the rock: [25] and the rain descended, the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house; and it did not fall, for it was founded on the rock. (emphasis mine)
When we look back at the "stones" of our lives, we see the pattern of His guidance. We see that even when we were wandering, He was working, and His "compassions never fail”.
Lamentations 3:22-23 NKJV [22] Through the Lord’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. [23] They are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
If you are in a season where the future feels unbearable, stop trying to peer into the fog. Turn around. Look at the track record of the God who has been with you since the beginning.
- Acknowledge the Strength: Who gave you the breath to keep going when the ground gave way?
Psalms 18:1-2 NKJV[1] I will love You, O Lord, my strength. [2] The Lord is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer; My God, my strength, in whom I will trust; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold.
- Recall the Deliverance: Where did grace show up when you had nothing left?
II Corinthians 12:7-10 NKJV [7] And lest I should be exalted above measure by the abundance of the revelations, a thorn in the flesh was given to me, a messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I be exalted above measure. [8] Concerning this thing I pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. [9] And He said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. [10] Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
- Establish the Memorial: Like the Israelites crossing the Jordan, we need markers .
Joshua 4:4-7 NKJV [4] Then Joshua called the twelve men whom he had appointed from the children of Israel, one man from every tribe; [5] and Joshua said to them: “Cross over before the ark of the Lord your God into the midst of the Jordan, and each one of you take up a stone on his shoulder, according to the number of the tribes of the children of Israel, [6] that this may be a sign among you when your children ask in time to come, saying, ‘What do these stones mean to you?’ [7] Then you shall answer them that the waters of the Jordan were cut off before the ark of the covenant of the Lord; when it crossed over the Jordan, the waters of the Jordan were cut off. And these stones shall be for a memorial to the children of Israel forever. (emphasis mine)
The God who has been faithful "thus far" isn't going anywhere.
Hebrews 13:8 NKJV Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
If He brought you through the last storm, He is already standing in the middle of this one with you.
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