“Do not remember the former things,
Or ponder the things of the past.
“Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing,
Now it will spring forth;
Will you not be aware of it? Isaiah 43:18-19
The path of deliverance from Babylon back to Israel was hundreds of miles of dessert. No water, little food, and who knows what they would face.. The prophets often reminded the people to remember the past miracles and provision, but here Isaiah says God wants them to forget the past and look forward to new things, new miracles. They are to release the past to embrace the future. This future would eventually lead to the Mesiah. God continually tells His people that a new day is coming, and all will be made right, so do not look back but look to the future God has for you.
God has used this verse in my life three times. Once in 1990 when we left the ministry to heal from the grief of our daughter’s death and to take care of my aging mom. I thought our ministry was over for good. He reminded me again in 1992 when He said it was time to return to ministry. I was thrilled. And then in 1993, when I could not find a teaching position in the small town to which he had called us, He led me to start up a business -Great Beginnings Pre-school. This meant meeting government standards and lots of details and red-tape which scared me to death. BUT GOD! God gave me strength, patience and the ability to meet each demand and Great Beginnings was born.
Each time He brings this passage to my attention, He is ready to do a new work in and through me. Today as I read it again, I was reminded of His faithfulness and wisdom in each situation. It seems each time I faced a crisis of confusion about the future, a sense of desperation, not knowing what tomorrow would bring, God has always come through in those hours and shone His light on the next step in the journey of my life. I feel He is doing that once again and the letting go is never easy, sometimes painful and even embarrassing, BUT GOD!
How about you. Have you had those moments when God ha called you to let go and move into new territory with Him? It may have seemed impossible or confusing, BUT GOD! Is He calling you to forget the past successes, failures, or challenges, and move into an unproven future where he can show His mighty power and grace to you and through you? What will your answer be? Remember…BUT GOD
Thank You, Jesus for delivering us time and again and continuing to draw us into Your future and “new things” for Your glory. You are ever faithful and know the plans You have for us, to prosper not to harm, to give hope and new life! Help us to hear, know and walk that path where You provide streams in the dessert and level the road before us. Give us courage to forget the past and boldly march forward into the new thing, knowing You are already there awaiting our obedience. BUT GOD!!
Journey with Joyce 