Scriptures: Deuteronomy 6:20-25, Romans 8:28, Matthew 28:20, Philippians 4:19, Psalm 68:20

Often we hear advice from those we trust to keep looking forward--forget the past and concentrate on the future. But it's in the past that we find tremendous evidence of God's faithfulness in our lives. Our memories are powerful tools--capable of holding 500 times the information found in the world's largest encyclopedia, and that capacity is there for a reason. Dr. Merritt's message takes us on a memorable journey with the Nation of Israel just before the enter the Promise Land. It reminds us that before we can look to the future, or even live in the present, that we must learn from the past.

"You and I both can look back and begin to connect the dots of daily events that took place in our life and see a pattern. We can see life as different pieces of the puzzle somehow miraculously fitting together. These pieces are not circumstantial, nor are they accidental, they are providential. When you look back and see how God has worked in your life, you can know that God is working in your life, and will work in your life." --Dr. Merritt

Keywords: memory, past, history, providence, presence, present, future, Promise Land, Israel, Jordan River, provision, supply, needs, riches, protection, death, shrimp, pier, Eddie Rickenbacker, World War II, seagull, miracle, sacrifice, remember, look, back