"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." Isaiah 43:18-20
Are there things from your past that you keep going back to? Old mistakes, past regrets, personal failures, or things that you still feel guilt over? Are there things that you need to "forget" or stop dwelling on in your life?
In the Old Testament, when the Israelites were far away from God, rebelling and worshipping other gods, the prophet Isaiah was one of the prophets who called them into account. But, even though the Israelites had done horrible things, (even sacrificing their children to idols! Ezekiel 16:20), God was willing to give them another chance.
"'Come now, let's settle this,' says the Lord. 'Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.'" - Isaiah 1:18
Sometimes we are unable to fully move forward in life because we are continually looking behind us. Mistakes, regrets, and avoidable circumstances may continue to plague us even after we've asked for forgiveness and laid it to rest — even perhaps being unable to forgive ourselves! But the fact of the matter is, when the past is behind us and we've been forgiven, it really is no more. Satan wants our past and present to be our future. But God always sees us for who we are becoming.
Are you ready to receive God's forgiveness and let go of the "former things"? Pray and ask God to give you the strength and grace to leave the past behind you.
Related resource: Necessary Endings by Dr. Henry Cloud
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