By: Elizabeth Haarberg

Move Forward

You can listen to today’s devotion by clicking this SoundCloud link.

People have great memories; many of us are highly skilled at hanging on to past mistakes or things done to us. One amazing element of God is He is constantly trying to move us forward out of our stuck state.

“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 English Standard Version

God gives us the opportunity to forget the past, but our brains, bodies and hearts hang onto history.

“Repent therefore, and turn back, that your sins may be blotted out,”
Acts 3:19 ESV

Repentance gives us a chance to leave the garbage behind and move forward with our lives so we can live eternally now. So why don’t we move forward like God wants? There are so many reasons we can’t or don’t forgive that we can’t list them all; some may think we don’t deserve it and others can’t believe it’s that simple. The reasons people don’t repent are endless, but the bottom line is the opportunity to stay stuck in the past is a realistic choice in the journey as a Christian.

The good news is God doesn’t leave us, even when we can’t accept the forgiveness God offers us.

“The steps of a man are established by the Lord,when he delights in his way; though he fall, he shall not be cast headlong, for the Lord upholds his hand.”
Isaiah 37:23-24 ESV

No matter what, God will not leave us; Jesus is faithful from the beginning to the end of our lives.

“Be strong and courageous. Do not fear or be in dread of them, for it is the Lord your God who goes with you. He will not leave you or forsake you.”
Deuteronomy 31:6 ESV

Putting our hope in God, letting Him relieve our pain of the past so we can live in freedom is key to being at peace.

Copyright Holy Cross Lutheran Church, Colorado Springs, Colorado