31 December 2023
FORGET THE PAST AND PRESS FORWARD
(Growing in Faith, in Truth & in Spirit: GFTS 26)
As we come to the end of the year, let us reflect what God has done for us throughout the year. There are many things we can thank and praise God for and many regrets that we need to ask for His forgiveness. He is a forgiving God Who knows that we are nothing but dust. He knows and understands our frame, and is gracious and merciful to forgive as we sincerely and genuinely repent. He has given us the promise: “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteous” (1 John 1:9). So let us put all our regrets behind us and press forward to the New Year.
Tomorrow is the New Year of a New Beginning. Do not look back anymore – as the old year is past and gone and we need to put that under the Blood of Jesus. The LORD has given us a promise for the future: “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 desert and streams in the wasteland” (Isaiah 43:18-19). God will do a new thing in our life and situation if we can believe and claim His promise. He will turn things around for us - things seemingly impossible; like making a way in the desert and creating streams in the wasteland! Let us be like the Apostle Paul who adopted a positive attitude: “Forgetting the things that are behind, I press forward” (Phil.3:13). If we keep looking back and regretting the past, we can never press forward to new heights and run the race successfully.
Tomorrow and the future are as bright as the promises of God, for He is Faithful and will fulfil every promise He has made and given to us His children. We just need to walk by faith, trusting Him in every way. The Bible exhorts us thus: “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him and He will make your paths straight” (Prov.3:5-6). The NLT says in verse 6: “Seek His will in all you do, and He will show you which path to take”. Amen.
Tomorrow may seem uncertain for many, but for those who believe it may be most promising. Our God is the God of yesterday, today and tomorrow, for He is the Ever-present God and He never changes (Heb.13:8). He is always with us even to the end of the world and He will never leave us nor forsake us. He is our Emmanuel and Jehovah Shammah. Hallelujah!
Joshua the new leader was given a great assurance by God when the people were to cross the dangerous fastmoving and overflowing Jordan River. God gave this instruction to His people through Joshua: “Consecrate yourselves, for tomorrow the LORD will do amazing things among you” (Josh.3:4). To “consecrate” means to “dedicate” and “purify”. God is holy and we need to walk in holiness (1Pet.1:15-16) and He is the Great God Who redeemed us with the Blood of Christ. Therefore, we belong to Him totally and must live for Him and Him alone. Then we will see the amazing things He will do for us. Amen!
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