Forgetting the past, moving forward

The more I read of Isaiah 43, the more I like it.  Starting with verses 18-19,

Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 

See, I’m 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)

For the Israelites, God was telling them, “Yes, you messed up.  You sinned.  And for that you were all exiled. 

“But don’t dwell on that any longer.  I’m doing a new thing in your life, if you’ll only open your eyes to it.  And I’ll make a way back for you.  In the wasteland of your life, you’ll find streams of life once again.

So many times, we mess up our lives, and we spend so much time dwelling on our mistakes of the past, that we fail to see what God wants for our future.  After all, when we’re constantly looking back, it’s impossible to see what’s ahead.

But God wants to do a new thing in our lives.  Even now, it’s springing up, if only we’ll open our eyes.  But so often there is a problem.  What is it?

Yet you have not called upon me, O Jacob, you have not wearied yourself for me, O Israel…

But you have burdened me with your sins and wearied me with your offenses.  (Isaiah 43:22, 24)

If only we pursued God with all our hearts, we would see what he’s doing and know his blessing in our lives. 

But instead, we often ignore him, or only come half-heartedly after him.  Not only that, we give in to our own selfishness and pride.  We live only to please ourselves and thus burden God with our sins.

But God has so much more in store for us if only we’ll repent, and start following hard after him.  And as we do, God says,

I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.  (Isaiah 43:25)

Is your life a mess?  Your finances?  Your marriage?  Your professional life?  Your personal life? 

Don’t dwell on your past.  Instead, look for what God is doing in your life.  Look for what he wants you to do. 

And don’t continue wearying him with your sinful actions and attitudes.  But repent, and follow hard after him. 

As you do, you will find his blessing in your life.