Marie’s daily verse: Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles. And let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us, fixing our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before him he endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. HEBREWS 12:1-2

DAILY DEVOTION, April 1, 2023

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old (Isaiah 43:18).

This is a common theme in the Bible.  We all have a past. Some of the things in our history are unpleasant. Some cannot move ahead into a positive future because the past binds them. We are not to allow this to happen. The past is what it is and cannot be changed. Where will it end if you let the past interfere with the present? The past cannot be changed. We need to accept the past and move on. Why allow that which cannot be altered to rob you of a meaningful today?

Isaiah may be talking about historical things in the past, but it also applies to us personally. The best thing to do with the past is to forget it and move on. I recall my days working as a mental health counselor, and the past hog-tied many of the people who came to my office. If there are sins in your history that plague you, accept the forgiveness that Jesus offers and move on. If there are those in your past who have hurt you deeply, forgive them and move on. Isaiah was right. What good does it do to remember the former things?

Father, I confess that there are things in my past that I cannot shake off. Please help me follow the prophet’s advice and not let the past ruin my today. I pray in the name of Jesus, Amen.