Forget What Lies Behind

Isaiah 43: 16-21; Philippians 3:4b-14

We like to hold on to the status quo. We resist change. We lament, “Weren’t things better in the past. Isaiah reminds the Israelites about the steadfast love of God that made a way through the Red Sea when they fled Egypt and kept those chasing them, the Egyptian horses and chariots, back. God not only held the Red Sea back but held back the Egyptians who chased them.

Though these were great acts of God they are not to think back or ponder and wish for the good ole days but to anticipate the new thing God is bringing into their lives. It’s happening – springing forth – don’t you perceive – recognize it. God will make a way in the wilderness of their lives, provide water in the drought of their lives, and give drink to his chosen people.

One person who considered himself chosen of God was the apostle Paul. In Philippians he tells how he was so confident being born into the right tribe, becoming a Pharisee, and righteously following the law. But Paul in his conversion counted this past all but loss. The Lord brought something new into his life – salvation not by keeping the law but in Christ. He found righteousness which came from God through faith. He no longer thinks back of his Pharisaic days when he persecuted Christians. God has forgiven him so he can forget what lies behind and strains- reaches out to what lies ahead for him. What new plan God has for him. Though he doesn’t think he’s reached the goal yet, he continues to press on toward it – toward the prize of the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus.

So many people ruminate on how better their life was before. For example: before the divorce, when the children were young, or when they had perfect health. But Isaiah and Paul say, “Forget the past, strive on to the new path God has set for you.” The new life God will bring you out of the wilderness, out of the dry desert of your life. Our mindset should be focused ahead to reach for the goal God has for us now – to follow the heavenly call of God in Christ Jesus. We are to grow in grace, producing fruits of the spirit where you have been placed now, forgetting what lies behind and focusing toward what lies ahead in the new life God has given you.

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