“Do not cling to events of the pastor dwell on what happened long ago. Watch for the new thing I am going to do. It is happening already—you can see it now!” (Isaiah 42:18-19a Good news Translation)
People will reject your witness, perhaps, because they knew you “back when.” Still others will look at how the Lord saved you, raised you, and filled you because they see the transformation that Lord has brought about in your life, distinctly different and definitely better than “back when.” The only thing we can do in regard to the former is to live a life that reveals the changes that have taken place since the Lord came into our lives. In regard to the latter, we must stay committed to the climb, witnessing by our living that attests to the fact that the change the Lord wrought in us was not a temporary change, but rather a change that communicates that the Lord not only brought us from our “back when,” but He is progressively making us better. Praise God!
We have looked at the two opposite ways people will insert “back when” in regard to how they think of you and view the sincerity of your faith. And we have prescribed how to react to each in an abbreviated admonition. Now, let’s look at how we ourselves should be looking at “back when.” If we revisit our “back when,” start with where we, individually, opened our hearts to let the Savior begin a good work in you. Don’t waste time looking back at the things we used to do, and we don’t do no more. Quickly think of the great things He has done in our past. That’s okay! But then immediately let us go ahead and declare it openly right now based on our personal experiences, “He has done great things for me!” However, we must not focus on that which is in the past too much for there is a new thing that the Lord is doing with you each and every day, and He will continue to do so until the day Christ returns. Yes, “He who began a good work among you will complete it by the day of Christ Jesus.” That’s bible (Philippians 1:6)! Actually, as He lifts your spirit just by reading this meditation, He is changing your disposition for the time being. That is included in a new thing
In addition, to working on our sanctification journey, making us better and better in the sight of heaven, God is going to show us, going forward, by continuing new things He blesses us with throughout our lives, He will show us that He is still a very present help in times of trouble! In the new things He will show us that He will still open doors we cannot see! He will still be our provider, protector, and promise-keeper. The new things the Lord will do in our lives will have us staring in awe and saying an awful lot, “The Lord is doing great things for me!” Notice, the verbs “is” and “doing,” Intentionally I want us not to just focus on “has” and “done.” Do you hear what I am saying?
It’s holiday season and Satan will put forth extra effort and devise all kind of deceptions to try to invade our minds, tempt our ways, and have us revisit the “back when” that we left in the past, trying to entice you to go “back when.” But let us not fret! Let us, instead, just keep trusting in the Lord, looking for Him to provide a way out, and keep looking forward in the manner that the closing verse prescribes. Okay?
Personally now, praise God for your commitment that you just renewed, revived or revved up! Have a great day! Be blessed!
“We must keep our eyes on Jesus, who leads us and makes our faith complete.” (Hebrews 12:2a Contemporary English)
Committed to the climb,
Mark L. King