Morning Manna by Rufus Parker - 2026 August 8

Look Not Behind Thee

“Brethren, I count not myself to have apprehended: but this one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before, I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:13-14)

Today’s Morsel: One of the things about a spiritual journey is that you must be committed. One of the last warnings the angels gave to Lot, and his wife, was to not look back. But we know that according to scripture, Lot’s wife looked back, and she became a pillar of salt. Jesus cautioned us to remember Lot’s wife (Luke 17:32). I often ponder on why she looked back. We also see that the children of Israel could not enter the promised land because they kept looking back. And they, too, died in the wilderness. You can’t keep looking back and expect to make it to heaven. You must keep heaven in front of you. It must be in your windshield not your rearview mirror. If every time you look up and all you can see is your past, you will want to go back. Satan has a way of glamorizing your past to get you to look back. He also has a way of showing you your past to drag you down.  You should already know what is behind you. You don’t need to worry about what’s behind, worry about what is before you, so that you do not stumble and fall. 

Sing: I’m going home with Jesus, in the twinkling of an eye; I’ve made my reservations for my mansion in the sky. I may not know the moment, and I may not know the day, but I know that I’ll be leaving when He calls this church away. 

Thought For Today: “Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the LORD for ever.” (Psalms 23:6)