Prayer Call: Reaching Forward

Good Morning, BFB!

Today we're going to look at Isaiah 54:3-4 NIV:

"For you will spread out to the right and to the left; your descendants will dispossess nations and settle in their desolate cities. Do not be afraid; you will not be put to shame. Do not fear disgrace; you will not be humiliated. You will forget the same of your youth and remember no more the reproach of your widowhood."

I believe God brought us to this passage for one simple reminder: we are still called to reach forward. That is our focus today and throughout this week — reaching forward.

When God spoke these words, He was speaking to people who had just come out of exile. Some were rebuilding their lives. The good thing is that they were no longer where they used to be, but they were still learning how to move toward what God was calling them to do. That speaks to us as well. No matter our current condition or situation, God always speaks forward.

God Sees More Than Our Current Season
God tells them, “You will spread out to the right and to the left.” That is the language of expansion and forward movement — even though it didn’t match how they felt. They were returning from Babylon, cautious, recovering, unsure. But God wasn’t speaking to their feelings; He was speaking to their future.

This teaches us something important: God does not define us by our present limitations.

He defines us by His purpose for us. He doesn't define us by the situation around us or how it may feel or what it may seem like. He sees the finished work while we only see the process. We see uncertainty; God sees confidence. We see where we are; God sees where we’re going.

You are not limited by your current job, your current situation, or your current season. God sees you moving forward — toward the vision and purpose that He's placed inside of you. The goals, the business, the degree, the healing, the growth He placed in your heart. Think about your car: the rearview mirror is so much smaller than your windshield. We often focus on what’s behind us, but God directs our attention to what’s ahead. He sees more than where you’ve been; He sees where you’re going.

God Removes the Power of Our Past
In verse 4, after speaking of expansion, God says, “Do not be afraid… you will not be put to shame.” 

Why? Because whenever God expands us, something tries to creep in — our past.
Old memories. Old disappointments. Old failures. The enemy loves to replay moments we wish we could undo. But God doesn’t leave us trapped there. He names those fears, and then He removes their power. He doesn’t pretend our past didn’t happen — He simply refuses to let it define our future. And we should do the same.

You are not defined by your mistakes.
You are not defined by your missteps.
You are not defined by your failures — those are lessons that lead you toward the success God has prepared.

What you went through does not get to name you. What you lost does not get to limit you.
What embarrassed you does not get to follow you into your future. Let God remind us of who we are and whose we are.  

Reach Forward
So as we move through this week, let God remind you of who you are. Your identity is not rooted in your past but in where God is taking you. God has placed in us the desire and the vision to expand ourselves, to see beyond where we are right now and move boldly toward our future.

Reach forward in your personal life.
Reach forward in the vision God has given you.
Reach forward as a church.
Reach forward in love, in service, in compassion.
Reach forward in new ideas, new goals, new ways to strengthen our families, our communities, and our children.

We cannot control the past or even all of the present — but we know the One who holds our future. Jesus Christ oversees us with mercy and purpose.

So let us reach forward:
• into expanding community
• into expanding outreach
• into expanding redemption
• into expanding education
• into every opportunity God places before us

Because where you are now is not where God is taking you. He sees you beyond your current place. And He will not let your past cancel what He has planned for your future.

Amen and amen.