As we are in the beginning of a New Year we are encouraged by God's Word - The Bible that we need to look ahead. Isaiah chapter 43 verse18-19 says -'Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold I will do a new thing, Now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it? I will even make a road in the wilderness and rivers in the desert'.
Why are we advised to forget the former things? I believe disappointments, failures, and defeats of yesterday can dimmer our victories of today and tomorrow. David a man referred by God as a "man after my own heart" says that God's favor is for life, weeping may endure for a night, But Joy comes in the morning. A night of anguish is replaced by the joy of a new dawn.
The apostle Paul, formerly Saul of Tarsus pens something along the lines of the prophet Isaiah. Writing to the Church at Philippi he says- 'No, dear brothers and sisters, I have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead'. There is a beautiful imagery conveyed here of a runner on the course straining every muscle as he runs toward the goal, his hand stretched out to grasp it
The Christian life is never in neutral mode. In moving forward we must either grow in grace or there will be backsliding and deterioration. If we do not go on with God, we are susceptible to drifting and the consequence of losing the joy of God's salvation. In our endeavor to grow we must never accept the subtle suggestion of the tempter that we are powerless to break away from the sin that so easily entangles us. It is not about our will power, but our honesty to repent of the wrong doing and turning to the Lord for divine help that He will undertake for us. God Bless us as we March On!
