The phrase, ‘forget the former things’ is not uncommon in Christian circles and is usually used as an encouragement to people who have experienced negative/destructive experiences. Basically, the implication is that the former things are the negative things people have experienced in the past, but do you know that this narrative is massively flawed?
Let’s see what the Bible says;
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 (Isaiah 43:18-19 KJV)
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. (Isaiah 43:18-19 NIV)
One of the ‘former things,’ that Prophet Isaiah was talking about in this verse is the triumph of Israel. The triumph of Israel is one of the greatest testimonies of God being with His people, yet it was considered as a ‘former thing.’ Therefore, we can see that former things include both good and bad experiences. In fact, past achievements and successes can distract you to the same degree that a destructive past would.
There is something about yesterday that has the ability to hold you back and blind you from seeing the new thing that God is about to do in your life, so He says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” It is very important to look back and thank the Lord for what He has done in your life, but those things shouldn’t be the standard by which your expectations should be aligned.
For example, in 2021, God through His Word could have taken you from point A to C, even if your resolution was to be at point B by December 2021. And being at point C is a really big testimony and we thank the Lord, but do you know that you can’t base your 2022 expectations on that? In as much as you did well, you can’t base your future on ‘past/former victories’ because we serve the Creator of the universe who is able to take you from point A to Z without going through all the stages in the middle, but you have to see it and create an expectation, a fresh expectation. I mean, we serve a God who could say, 2+2=6 and it becomes so. So, why limit Him with what has happened to you in the past, either negative or positive?
When you are at the place of prayer, take all your 2021 experiences, whether good or bad, and lay them on the ground. That will enable you to receive from the Father for the next season afresh.
Brothers and Sisters, it does not matter what 2021 or the last few years have been like, the Lord is doing a new thing in your life, but you have to forget the past and looking away from the former things, fix your mind and heart on Christ, the Author and Perfector of our faith.
Now, to forget does not mean you will not remember because even death does not erode the ability to remember things. In Luke 16:20-31, we see that the rich man remembered Lazarus from Abraham’s bosom. He even remembered his family which was still here on earth. What God is telling us is, let the past not have any effect on you or how you perceive your future. Letting it influence your thoughts and consequently your words and actions limits you and you will not be able to live in the light of God’s plans for your life.
A while back, I had been given an assignment that would launch in 3 months. I already had a structured idea of how I was going to excellently execute the assignment. I told myself, I would do it the same way I had done a similar project. But then, things were not working. And it was beginning to get a bit frustrating. Time was flying first too. We had around 3 weeks left.
It is at this point that the Holy Ghost said to me, “What makes you think just because it worked last time, it will work now?” Of course, my response was, “Lord, you gave me the idea and it worked excellently last time.” Then He began to explain to me, that the specific way of doing things worked for that period and that now, it was a new level; a new level with new challenges and I needed to be strategic. I was now working with a team of vendors, experts, people in different countries, and executives and what I needed was a new action plan, a new attitude. Hallelujah!! No wonder, the Holy Spirit is our Extraordinary Strategist. If you are keen to listen to His counsel and guidance, you will always be able to manifest your best self. You will even meet the right people at the right people and at the right place. Needless to say, the strategy the Holy Ghost gave me, produced SUPERNATURAL RESULTS!! The challenges I was facing, somehow, I could not see them anymore, in fact, with this new level, came new challenges. But I was really ready for them with the “much more grace” I had received for this new assignment. I have to say, the assignment was excellently done!!! Actually, very well done!! We surpassed everybody’s expectations.
How many times have we held on to the past and refused to see what God has in store for us? Have you heard people say, “I used to do it this way and It worked but not anymore? I have tried and tried. I don’t know what else to do.” Well, maybe that worked for that time but beloved, you gotta be careful to know what you need to do for this new season.
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind. Isaiah 65:17
Soak yourself in the Word of God so much that even the past does not come to mind and if it does, it should not have any effect on you. Thoughts are very powerful. Have you ever sat down and remembered a sad event and after a while had tears stream down your voice? It is even worse if the sad event blinds you from seeing what God has in store for your future.
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 (Isaiah 43:18-19 KJV)
The second part of this verse, not to consider, means that you don’t allow those former things to influence your faith or outlook on any situation. If anybody asks why you’re so happy, despite the tough circumstances, all you do is just smile and tell them you see God. And when they come back to ask again because things seem like they got worse, you still tell them you see God. Because no situation at hand can change your perspective about life. Your eyes remain fixed on Christ. If God says He will do it, then I know He will do it. By God, I know it will come to pass. It doesn’t matter what happens. It doesn’t matter if what’s at hand is communicating the opposite of God’s Word & will for my life. I know it will come to pass because God’s Word never fails, and it won’t start failing with me. God’s Word has been tested 7 times and found to be perfect! God is also one with His Word. He is with you, in you and for you. What other assurance do you need? I mean you and God form the majority. Glory to God! It doesn’t matter if the world put together is against you. The war was won at the cross. The outcome is known. Now walk in this consciousness that you are a victor in Christ Jesus. Any situation before you is temporal and produces for you, a glory that vastly outweighs it and will last forever! (2 Corinthians 4:17 NLT.)
Cheer up beloved! The Word of God works!!!
What if you had a destructive past?
Therefore if any man be in Christ, he is a new creature: old things are passed away; behold, all things are become new (2 Cor 5:17.)
Child of God, the day you got born again (believed and confessed the Lordship of Christ, (Romans 10:9-10) your past was made non-existent!!! 🔥🔥🔥🔥You became a new creation, a new creature that never existed before. The old man (old you) was crucified with Christ on the cross and when He arose, you rose again together with Him (2 Cor 5:17). Your mind might still be catching up as you renew it daily by the Word of God, but your spirit is one with God’s. You are righteous in Christ Jesus by faith. Meaning you have a right standing with God. Righteousness is the ability to stand before God or the devil without any feeling of shame or fear or guilt.
As you start the new year, I pray that you’ll not allow former things to blind God’s plans for you this year. I pray that you will see your future with the eyes of the spirit and live a victorious life daily because we don’t win some and lose some. We win ALWAYS. I pray that you will rejoice and walk in joy everyday, knowing that God is doing a new thing in your life. It is not too late to start afresh. You can always step out of a car if it is moving in the direction that you know does not align with God’s plan and purpose for your life! Never shy off from starting over, even if you have been stuck in that situation for years. You have the right, ability, and power of Christ at work in you to make the right choices.
Happy and blessed new year. I wish you all the best!
With love,
Nexcellent.
