Stop...holding on to the past!
Today's Scripture:
The Lord says, "Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; shall you not know it?"
Isaiah 43: 18-19
The people of Israel made plenty of mistakes and suffered generations of consequences. They'd been slaves in Egypt, wandered the desert for forty years, and were presently at war with Assyria. Because of repeatedly disobeying and distancing themselves from God, they'd lived with crippling fear, enemy invasions, and backbreaking bondage off and on for centuries. Along with words of rebuke and warning, the prophet Isaiah offered those desperate people words of hope, which summed up the heart of his message.
Through Isaiah, God promised his people he was doing something fresh and innovative. The Hebrew word for new conveys both expectancy and optimism. It describes something "unprecedented in its wonderful character." The promise that this new thing would "spring up" meant it would happen gradually, like the germination and growth of a beautiful wildflower. Its fulfillment would require patience, but its eventuality was sure. That fulfillment would be realized in Jesus.
To be able to look forward with joy, the Israelites needed to let go of the past. The same is true for people today.
Learning from the past is useful. Dwelling on the past is destructive.
It keeps your focus on thing you can no longer change and off what God is doing right before your eyes. Follow Isaiah's advice to the Israelites. Forget what's behind you. Move freely forward toward the good that is sprouting right beneath your feet.
Selah people' and friends letting go of past mistakes - yours and those of others - may involve forgiveness, repentance, and reconciliation. Let Isaiah's words encourage you as you work through emotional or relational roadblocks.
"God be your guide as you stop dwelling on the past and choose to move on."
Your pastor,
Rev Muston (PreacherPatrick)
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