This is what the Lord says—he who made a way through the sea, a path through the mighty waters, 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: “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. The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls, because I provide water in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland, to give drink to my people, my chosen, the people I formed for myself that they may proclaim my praise.  Isaiah 43: 16-21

This week we continue our study on Old Testament application in the current times, and of course, I would be remiss not to include at least one, but more likely a few, selections from the book of Isaiah. Isaiah is often called a mini-Bible, for a number of reasons.  The first is that there are 66 chapters in the book, and 66 books in the Bible.  More interestingly, in every chapter of Isaiah, there is a connection to the book that each represents chronologically. It is interesting to look into these connections, and I urge you to do so.

Is there ever a time during worship on Sunday, where we bring all our burdens, past and present, and leave them at the foot of the cross as we are instructed? Is there also a time where we gather them back up on Monday and shoulder them through the week?  I can only speak from my own personal experience, but that is a pattern that I have unfortunately practiced most of my adult life. This is detrimental to our spiritual and emotional health, and in direct opposition to God’s instruction.

The next time that this happens, and you start to dwell on a burden that you have prayed about and asked the Lord to take from you, remember the passage above. Verse 18 clearly states, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” We have no control over things in the past, but we must allow God to direct our hands and hearts in the future.

Have a great week!

~Danny