My brothers and sisters,our past is a place of learning, not a place of living. God encourages us to, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past” (Isaiah 43:18). Why is the Lord against us dwelling on the past? In short, the reason God doesn’t want His children focused on the past is because He knows by doing so it can cause us to get stuck where we are.
Let’s be honest, when our focus is on the past, it becomes too easy for us to feel sorry for ourselves, focus on past regrets, and to think that our best days are behind us. Worst of all, dwelling on our past can make us feel unthankful/ungrateful for all of our past blessings in our lives, especially the blessings we have in the present.
In the next verse (Isaiah 43:19), God goes on to say, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” Now, if we put these two verses together, we see that the Lord wants us to resist dwelling on the past so that we can “perceive” the “new thing” He is presently doing in our lives, not to mention the things He is has already planned to do in the near/distant future. God fully knows that if we are unreceptive to the brand-new things He’s about to do, then we might delay or prevent them from coming to pass.
I encourage you not to miss the excitement that is in the Lord’s tone within these verses. He knows that what He has in store for us is far better than anything we could think or imagine (Ephesians 3:20). The Living Bible translation put it this way, “But forget all that – it is nothing compared to what I’m going to do!” (v. 18)
At the end of the day, yesterday ended last night and there is nothing you nor I can do to bring yesterday back. So, on behalf of the Lord that holds yesterday, today, and tomorrow in His hands, I urge you today – “Forget about what’s happened; don’t keep going over old history. Be alert, be present. I’m about to do something brand-new. It’s bursting out! Don’t you see it? There it is!” (Isaiah 43:18-19 MSG)
Pray with me:
Father God, I don’t want to miss out on any of the wonderful plans You have for my life. Teach me how to resist dwelling on the past in ways that will cause me to get stuck. Show me how to constantly move forward into the better things You have for me up ahead. Guard me from self-pity, feelings of regret, and unthankfulness, and help me to maintain an attitude of gratitude at all times. Thank You that as I keep my eyes of faith open, I will be able to perceive the new things You have in store for me! In JESUS name, amen!
4GIVEN 