Looking In Three Directions
By Senior Pastor Dr. Bill Rains | December 31, 2023
Please open your Bibles to Deuteronomy 4:9. Today, as we stand on the threshold of a new year, I’ve titled this message “Looking In Three Directions.” Our text reads: “Only take heed to thyself, and keep thy soul diligently, lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen, and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life: but teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.” Notice the three looks: backward to remember, inward to the heart, and forward to teach. Let’s pray: Father, thank You for Your Word and the victories of souls saved, baptisms, and service. Bless everyone here and online. Break the hearts of the unsaved, and help me preach, in Jesus’ name, Amen.
Deuteronomy records Moses’ instructions to Israel before entering the Promised Land—a new era, much like our transition into 2024. This verse calls us to pause and look in three directions: backward to remember, inward at our spiritual condition, and forward with resolve.
Looking Backward to Remember
The text urges, “lest thou forget the things which thine eyes have seen.” God wanted Israel to recall their past—not just the Red Sea parting or the pillar of fire, but the consequences of sin at Peor, where 24,000 died for idolatry (Deuteronomy 4:3), and the blessings of obedience (verse 4). They were to remember hearing God’s voice at Horeb amid fire and darkness (verses 10-12).
For us, it’s different yet the same. I often look back to my salvation—two Jones boys, Janice and Alfred, brought Bible school to my rural holler. With bologna sandwiches and tater chips, they planted God’s Word in my heart. Later, another Jones boy preached at a funeral, pulling me back from straying. I recall my baptism in the creek and God’s call to preach after a promise during my wife’s illness. Establishing this church, buying this building—God’s hand has been evident. Look back, folks, and remember what God’s done. It gives strength for new eras.
Looking Inward at Our Spiritual Condition
The text continues, “and lest they depart from thy heart all the days of thy life.” This is an inward look at our heart’s condition. Isaiah 53:6 says, “All we like sheep have gone astray.” Even saved, we can drift into sin. In 2 Peter 1:4-10, God calls us to add virtue and knowledge to our faith. If we don’t add, subtraction happens—some forget they were cleansed (verse 9).
Paul urges in 2 Corinthians 13:5, “Examine yourselves, whether ye be in the faith.” Have you trusted Christ? Nicodemus, a religious ruler, hadn’t (John 3). Look inward—does your heart condemn or console you? Job said, “My record is on high, my witness is in heaven” (Job 16:19). I’ve strived to treat everyone right; no one can say I’ve wronged them. If your heart condemns, take it to God now for the new year.
Looking Forward with Resolve
Finally, “teach them thy sons, and thy sons’ sons.” This is a forward look with resolve. My sons are grown, but I teach my grandsons and granddaughters how to reach heaven. Paul told Timothy his faith came from his grandmother and mother (2 Timothy 1:5), urging him to pass it on. We must resolve in 2024 to win souls and live for God.
It’s tragic when parents drop the ball, and grandkids don’t know salvation—missing songs like “What can wash away my sins? Nothing but the blood.” I’d hate to face judgment knowing I failed them. Recently, I led a doctor to Christ in Tim’s hospital room. He prayed aloud to be saved—proof soul-winning matters. Let’s look forward, committing to do more for God.