Isaiah 43:18-19 – “Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert.”
God is talking to Israel here in Isaiah chapter 43. Isaiah chapter 42 explains the chastening God gave to Israel for worshipping a graven image. God even tells Israel in Isaiah 42:8, “I am the LORD: that is my name: and my glory will I not give to another. neither my praise to graven images.”
Israel was in need of being restored from their sinful ways. America is also in need of restoration. How do we, as imperfect people, become restored?
The first step to restoration is salvation. Imperfect people (you and I) cannot be restored unless the Holy Spirit is living inside of us. Paul records in Romans 10:10, “For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.”
John also records in John 14:17, “Even the Spirit of truth; whom the world cannot receive, because it seeth him not, neither knoweth him: but ye know him; for he dwelleth with you, and shall be in you.” Once we repent of our sins and ask the Lord to forgive us, He sends the Holy Spirit to indwell us. This does not mean we will become perfect at this moment. “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” as Paul wrote in Romans 3:10. Which is why we, as believers, need restoration every single day.
The second step towards restoration is to move on from the past. This is exactly what God was telling the Israelites in Isaiah 43. How can we focus on the future, if the past is traveling with us everywhere we go?
Here are some action steps that can help you move on from the past.
Bad habits of the past:
- There is no Scripture that says to remember the past.
- You cannot go forward and backward at the same time – that is impossible.
- As imperfect people, the past is never remembered correctly.
- Fortunately or unfortunately, we cannot change the past.
- You become the focus of the hurt instead of God being the focus of the healing (this one is an important one).
Action steps:
- Get your past in the past.
- Let the past motivate you for future victory.
- Remember the love that God has shown you.
- Reflect on the lessons that God has taught you.
- Allow the past to be a part of your present testimony.
God wants to do a new thing in you. Isaiah 43:7 says, “Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.”
Will you let God do a new thing in you? It’s time to move on from the past.
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