GO FORWARD – 15 And the LORD said to Moses, “Why do you cry to Me? Tell the children of Israel to go forward.” Exodus 14:15 NKJV
16 This is what the LORD says— he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 17 who drew out the chariots and horses, the army and reinforcements together, and they lay there, never to rise again, extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 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. Isaiah 43:16-19 NIV
Fear of the future can hinder us from going forward, so can something from our past. Is there anything in your past keeping you from moving forward? Are you paralyzed by a previous mistake or situation? Are you relying on old victories?
Today is a new day! His mercies are new every morning (Lam. 3:23)! Verse 18 tells us to “forget the former things” and “do not dwell on the past.” If you keep reading in that chapter, verse 25 says, “I, even I, am he who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.”
When the Israelites were crossing the Red Sea, the Lord moved from leading them in front and He came behind them. What an awesome picture! He protected them from what they could not see coming, He protected them from where they’d been, He ensured their freedom from past slavery, etc. He placed His presence behind them, declaring once and for all that Pharaoh and the Egyptians could no longer touch them.
When we are in Christ, He comes behind and declares that once and for all, the past can no longer have a hold on us.
He does the same for us. When we are in Christ, He comes behind and declares that once and for all, the past can no longer have a hold on us. Will you accept that today?
What is in your past is past. It’s done. God wants to do a new work today. “Do you not perceive it?”
APPLICATION
– Praise God that what is past is past. Confess any sin to Him that you have not already. Confess any areas from your past that you’ve been dwelling on and that have been holding you captive. Accept His forgiveness, trust that He comes behind, and decide to move forward.
– Thank God for the ways He has worked in our church throughout its history. Praise Him that just like He wasn’t done with the Israelites once they crossed the Red Sea, He is not done with Liberty. Praise Him for the new work He wants to do in and through our church.
– Pray that the people in Hampton Roads would come to know the forgiveness that Jesus offers. Ask the Lord for an opportunity to share with someone today the good news that God comes behind. If you haven’t already signed up, serving through Liberty Loves Hampton Roads gives a great opportunity for sharing with others. Go to www.libertylive.com/llhr for more information.