“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18–19
I love New Year’s Day for one reason: My birthday is December 31. So, normally around this time, I get my favorite kind of cake–strawberry!
New Year’s Day is also helpful for many people who need to discard bad habits and engage in good habits. That’s always a good thing. Most of us need a designated time to forsake and forget past disappointments and failures, so we can focus on the promising days ahead.
Isaiah was an amazing prophet. No other Old Testament prophet shared more about Jesus than Isaiah. He prophesied about Jesus’ virgin birth, His sinless life, His atoning/sacrificial death and His bodily resurrection.
Isaiah also spoke about not living in the past.
Many people at Bellevue struggle with sinful things they’ve done in the past. They’ve repented and asked the Lord to forgive them, but they cannot seem to forgive themselves. So, they get depressed and try to work harder.
But Isaiah shows all of us a better way.
1) Forget the past, “Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past” (Isaiah 43:18). Confess and repent of your faults and failures. Ask God to forgive you. Receive His forgiveness by grace through faith. Stop looking into the rearview mirror of regret. Relax and let it go.
2) Focus on the future, “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?” (Isaiah 43:19). God’s mercies are new every morning. Every day with Jesus is sweeter than the day before. Every Christian has a future and a hope in Jesus!
3) Have faith for a miracle, “I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19). God will make a way when there seems to be no way. There is no sea He can’t part, no mountain He can’t move, and no demon He can’t bind and defeat. The prospects of any new year are as bright as the promises of God!
2021 is in the books. 2022 lies ahead. Forget your past, focus on the future, and have faith for a miracle. It’s going to be a great year!