“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
Embracing Change
As we look into the encouragement from the scriptures about forgetting the past and moving on, we see how essential it is to embrace change. The ability to forget what has gone before can be a challenging task. Yet, the promise in God’s Word assures us that He is doing a new thing. There are moments we hold onto our past experiences, clutching tightly to our memories, but we are reminded that God has so much more in store for us. Let us encourage one another to release our grip on the past, understanding that God has plans to take us into a brighter future. Today, we can choose to open our hearts to new beginnings, knowing that His grace is sufficient for us.
Isaiah 43:18-19
“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
Philippians 3:13-14
“Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.” – Philippians 3:13-14
2 Corinthians 5:17
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!” – 2 Corinthians 5:17
Isaiah 48:6
“You have heard these things; look at them all. Will you not admit them? From now on I will tell you of new things, of hidden things unknown to you.” – Isaiah 48:6
Revelation 21:5
“He who was seated on the throne said, ‘I am making everything new!’ Then he said, ‘Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.'” – Revelation 21:5
Learning from the Past
In our journey of moving forward, it is essential for us to remember that learning from the past can have its place without being bound by it. The experiences we have gone through shape us, and while we might want to forget the negative ones, we can extract valuable lessons from them. Rather than allowing past difficulties to anchor our spirits, we have the opportunity to share our testimonies and lessons learned. Embracing what we have overcome can encourage us and others to press on into the future with hope and faith, knowing God is always with us.
Romans 15:4
“For everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through the endurance taught in the Scriptures and the encouragement they provide we might have hope.” – Romans 15:4
Psalms 77:11-12
“I will remember the deeds of the Lord; yes, I will remember your miracles of long ago. I will consider all your works and meditate on all your mighty deeds.” – Psalms 77:11-12
Job 11:13-15
“If you prepare your heart, you will stretch out your hands toward him. If you put away the sin that is in your hand and allow no evil to dwell in your tent, then, surely, you will lift up your face without shame; you will stand firm and without fear.” – Job 11:13-15
Isaiah 61:3
“And provide for those who grieve in Zion—to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of his splendor.” – Isaiah 61:3
1 John 1:9
“If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” – 1 John 1:9
God’s Promise of Restoration
As we reflect on the past and make the choice to move forward, we can hold on to God’s promises of restoration. Our Heavenly Father is ever-faithful and desires to transform our hearts and lives. The assurance that He can redeem our past mistakes is truly remarkable; He can weave our broken experiences into a beautiful tapestry of healing. In moving on, let’s remember that God specializes in making broken things whole, which should inspire us to take that step forward into the future with courage and hope.
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Psalms 23:3
“He refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake.” – Psalms 23:3
Mica 7:18-19
“Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.” – Mica 7:18-19
Joel 2:25
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten—the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm—my great army that I sent among you.” – Joel 2:25
Lamentations 3:22-23
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” – Lamentations 3:22-23
Forgiveness and Healing
As we move into the realm of forgetting the past, we cannot overlook the need for forgiveness and healing. Often, it is the burdens of unforgiveness that weigh us down and keep us from God’s intended path. Letting go of past hurts, whether caused by ourselves or others, is a part of allowing ourselves to heal. Holding onto resentment can keep us tied to our past. As we choose forgiveness, we begin to experience the liberation that comes from healing. We can become vessels of God’s love, radiating His grace as we step into the future with a clean heart.
Ephesians 4:32
“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” – Ephesians 4:32
Matthew 6:14-15
“For if you forgive other people when they sin against you, your heavenly Father will also forgive you. But if you do not forgive others their sins, your Father will not forgive your sins.” – Matthew 6:14-15
Colossians 3:13
“Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you.” – Colossians 3:13
Luke 6:37
“Do not judge, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn, and you will not be condemned. Forgive, and you will be forgiven.” – Luke 6:37
Psalms 147:3
“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” – Psalms 147:3
The Power of Hope
In everything that we have discussed about forgetting the past and moving on, hope is a prevalent theme. God’s Word encourages us to look forward with anticipation and trust in Him. Our hope is the anchor for our souls. When we place our hope in God, we set our sights on His promises, leading us gently away from the past. Hope instills courage within us, reminding us that there is always the potential for a fresh start. May we encourage one another to nurture our hope, for in it lies the strength to stand firm and walk boldly into all that God has prepared for us ahead.
Romans 5:5
“And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.” – Romans 5:5
Hebrews 11:1
“Now faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see.” – Hebrews 11:1
Jeremiah 29:11
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” – Jeremiah 29:11
Proverbs 23:18
“There is surely a future hope for you, and your hope will not be cut off.” – Proverbs 23:18
Psalms 42:5
“Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise him, my Savior and my God.” – Psalms 42:5
Choosing to Move Forward
The final thought we wish to reflect on is that moving on is a choice. It is a decision we make daily to shift our focus from what was and concentrate on what can be in God’s kingdom. The ability to advance into the future requires faith, vision, and the courage to step outside of our comfort zone. We take comfort in the promise that we are not alone; God is our guide, cheering us on as we take each step. Let us make the commitment to each other and to ourselves that we will take this journey together, choosing hope, faith, and the joy of new beginnings.
Isaiah 40:31
“But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” – Isaiah 40:31
Micah 7:8
“Do not gloat over me, my enemy! Though I have fallen, I will rise. Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light.” – Micah 7:8
Philippians 4:13
“I can do all this through him who gives me strength.” – Philippians 4:13
Proverbs 4:25
“Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you.” – Proverbs 4:25
Psalm 119:105
“Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path.” – Psalm 119:105
Final Thoughts
As we reflect on forgetting the past and moving on, it becomes clear that God desires for us to embrace the new things He is doing in our lives. Each of us has our unique journey, and while the past has shaped who we are, it does not define our future. We are reminded that healing, forgiveness, hope, and the power to change our paths are all found in the Lord.
With His Word as our guide, we can encourage one another to release old burdens and step into the beautiful plans He holds for each of us. Together, let’s commit to focusing on the future and leading lives filled with hope and purpose.
If you’re interested in exploring more about moving forward, you may want to read about letting the past go and letting God take control.