Isaiah 43:18
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.
Today we will explore a topic that tugs at the heart of many of us — the yearning for the days past. We often get entwined in the glory of our memories and forget to live in the bountiful beauty of our present. Together, in the light of God's word, let us delve into the importance of being cautious about this longing for the past and the necessity to embrace the present that God has blessed us with.
Ecclesiastes 7:10 says, "Do not say, 'Why were the
old days better than these?' For it is not wise to ask such questions."
This verse is an explicit reminder from our Heavenly Father about the dangers
of excessive nostalgia. It is easy to look back and romanticise the past
because we often remember the good times more vividly than the challenging
ones. But we must remember, my dear brothers and sisters, God, in His divine
wisdom, cautions us against yearning for the past.
When we allow ourselves to be consumed by longing for days
gone by, we are in danger of losing sight of the gifts that God has placed in
our lives right now. The past, with all its joys and sorrows, has shaped us,
but it does not define us. Our identity lies in being children of a living God
who lives in the present. As we read in Isaiah 43:18-19, "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 wilderness and
streams in the wasteland."
Every day is a new blessing, a new lesson, a new opportunity
to grow closer to Him. It is a chance to experience God's grace in fresh ways,
to learn, to love, and to serve. When we yearn for the past, we risk missing
these blessings and opportunities.
Constantly longing for what was is a hinderance our faith
journey. Walking with Christ means walking forward, not backward. Philippians
3:13-14 says, "Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to
have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and
straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for
which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus." We must focus on
our mission, our calling, the heavenly race set before us.
Not that the past does not matter: we learn from the past,
and it is a testament to God's faithfulness in our lives. The reminiscence of
past victories and milestones strengthens our faith, and the memory of past
trials and hardships refines our character. However, we must be careful not to
let our past, whether triumphant or troubled, prevent us from fully
experiencing the present moment that God has given us.
Remember, my dear friends, the past has passed, the future
is God's secret, and the present is our task. Let us embrace the gift of today
with gratitude, using the lessons of the past to enrich our present and
stepping forward in faith towards the future God has in store for us.
May we take to heart the wisdom of Apostle Paul who said,
"Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come. The old
has gone, the new is here!" (2 Corinthians 5:17). Let us embrace this
new creation, this present moment, and live it for the glory of our Lord.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, we thank you for the gift of the present.
Help us not to yearn for the past but to appreciate the blessings you have
placed in our lives today. Teach us to trust in your perfect plan and timing.
May we always remember that our past has shaped us, but it does not define us.
Our identity lies in you. In Jesus' mighty name, we pray. Amen.