Encouragement in Foreshadowing

Thursday, January 30, 2014 Posted by Debbie Legg

As a writer, I love a good story. I also love the process of story—watching it unfold, the highs and lows, the suspense and the saving. Foreshadowing is one of my favorite literary devices--a tiny clue, a little message, a hint of what is to come.

I am learning that God also loves foreshadowing. It’s all through the Bible. God appears to someone and tells them what He is going to do. Then, He does it, although never in the way or the time frame that the people expect or desire.

God told Abraham He would make him into a great nation. Then it was 25 years before the son of that promise, Isaac, was born. Five hundred-ish years later the descendents of Abraham’s great-grandchildren walked out of Egypt as the nation of Israel. Abraham’s great nation is still around today, thousands of years later. And God has been with them the whole time.

God had the prophet Samuel anoint the boy David as king over Israel, but David wasn’t actually crowned king of Israel until he was 30. In that time he played the harp for King Saul, slew a giant, formed a lasting friendship with Jonathan, and spent years in exile, hiding in caves, fearing for his life. And God was with him the whole time.

What God promised did happen, but there was a lot of life between the promise and the fulfillment.

It’s not much different today. I believe God has said my neck will be healed one day, at least enough to play drums again. I believe He has a purpose for the screenplay He has given me. I also believe the Bible is a book of examples, not exceptions.

I don’t know how or when, but I know His plans and promises come true, just as they did with Abraham. I know He is with me the whole time, just as He was with David. I know He loves me as much as He does them.

And that is all the foreshadowing I need.