As Christians, we are called to press on with faith, trusting in God’s promises and looking ahead to the future He has prepared for us. The Bible is filled with encouragement to keep our eyes fixed on Jesus, to embrace hope, and to persevere in the journey of faith. Here are key themes about looking forward, each supported by powerful Bible verses.
Also Read: Bible Verses About Pushing Forward
Fixing Our Eyes on Jesus
One of the most important aspects of looking forward is keeping our eyes on Jesus. He is our ultimate guide, our hope, and our strength. When we focus on Him, we can endure trials and move forward in faith, no matter what challenges come our way.
Hebrews 12:2
“We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God’s throne.”
Colossians 3:2
“Think about the things of heaven, not the things of earth.”
Matthew 6:33
“Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.”
Philippians 3:14
“I press on to reach the end of the race and receive the heavenly prize for which God, through Christ Jesus, is calling us.”
Psalms 121:1-2
“I look up to the mountains—does my help come from there? My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth!”
Forgetting the Past and Moving Forward
God calls us to leave behind our past mistakes and regrets. Dwelling on the past can hinder our progress in faith, but when we trust in God’s forgiveness and grace, we can move forward with confidence.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“But forget all that—it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it? I will make a pathway through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.”
Philippians 3:13
“No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.”
2 Corinthians 5:17
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Luke 9:62
“But Jesus told him, ‘Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.'”
Job 17:9
“The righteous keep moving forward, and those with clean hands become stronger and stronger.”
God’s Plans for the Future
God has a plan for each of us, and His plans are good. Even when we don’t understand what lies ahead, we can trust that His purpose is greater than our fears.
Jeremiah 29:11
“‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ says the Lord. ‘They are plans for good and not for disaster, to give you a future and a hope.'”
Proverbs 3:5-6
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart; do not depend on your own understanding. Seek his will in all you do, and he will show you which path to take.”
Romans 8:28
“And we know that God causes everything to work together for the good of those who love God and are called according to his purpose for them.”
Psalm 32:8
“The Lord says, ‘I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.'”
Ecclesiastes 3:11
“Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time. He has planted eternity in the human heart, but even so, people cannot see the whole scope of God’s work from beginning to end.”
Walking by Faith, Not by Sight
Faith requires us to trust God even when we cannot see the full picture. Looking forward means relying on His promises rather than our own understanding.
2 Corinthians 5:7
“For we live by believing and not by seeing.”
Hebrews 11:1
“Faith shows the reality of what we hope for; it is the evidence of things we cannot see.”
Romans 1:17
“This Good News tells us how God makes us right in his sight. This is accomplished from start to finish by faith. As the Scriptures say, ‘It is through faith that a righteous person has life.'”
Isaiah 26:3
“You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you!”
Psalm 37:23-24
“The Lord directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives. Though they stumble, they will never fall, for the Lord holds them by the hand.”
Also Read: Bible Verses About Moving to the Next Level
Waiting on the Lord
Patience is a key part of looking forward in faith. Sometimes, God asks us to wait before He reveals His plans. In those moments, we must trust that His timing is perfect and His promises will be fulfilled.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who trust in the Lord will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint.”
Psalm 27:14
“Wait patiently for the Lord. Be brave and courageous. Yes, wait patiently for the Lord.”
Lamentations 3:25
“The Lord is good to those who depend on him, to those who search for him.”
Micah 7:7
“As for me, I look to the Lord for help. I wait confidently for God to save me, and my God will certainly hear me.”
Romans 8:25
“But if we look forward to something we don’t yet have, we must wait patiently and confidently.”
Holding on to Hope
Hope is a powerful force that keeps us moving forward, even in the darkest times. God’s Word reminds us to place our hope in Him because He is faithful and His promises never fail.
Romans 15:13
“I pray that God, the source of hope, will fill you completely with joy and peace because you trust in him. Then you will overflow with confident hope through the power of the Holy Spirit.”
Hebrews 6:19
“This hope is a strong and trustworthy anchor for our souls. It leads us through the curtain into God’s inner sanctuary.”
Psalm 130:5
“I am counting on the Lord; yes, I am counting on him. I have put my hope in his word.”
Jeremiah 17:7
“But blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence.”
Titus 2:13
“We look forward with hope to that wonderful day when the glory of our great God and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be revealed.”
Eagerly Awaiting Christ’s Return
As believers, we are called to live in anticipation of Jesus’ return. Looking forward to His coming gives us a sense of urgency and purpose as we strive to live for Him each day.
1 Thessalonians 5:6
“So be on your guard, not asleep like the others. Stay alert and be clearheaded.”
Philippians 3:20
“But we are citizens of heaven, where the Lord Jesus Christ lives. And we are eagerly waiting for him to return as our Savior.”
Matthew 24:44
“You also must be ready all the time, for the Son of Man will come when least expected.”
Hebrews 9:28
“So also Christ was offered once for all time as a sacrifice to take away the sins of many people. He will come again, not to deal with our sins, but to bring salvation to all who are eagerly waiting for him.”
Revelation 22:12
“Look, I am coming soon, bringing my reward with me to repay all people according to their deeds.”