“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. 19 “Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” – Isaiah 43:18-19
God is telling Isaiah “do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.” He is literally saying that we are to receive God’s forgiveness and look ahead to our future.
We all have a past and some things are not so good, therefore we need to ask God for forgiveness, learn from our past mistakes, make amends if at all possible with the one we hurt and look forward to the new things the Lord will do in our lives.
When studying the Bible, we see that God used the least likely people to do some of the most amazing things for Him. He chose the adulterer, the murderer, the thief, and the prostitute. God used them as an example for us.
So if God used people like King David who was an adulterer and a murderer and others; why not us? Jesus died on the cross for us and once we accept Him as our Lord and Savior we are new creatures in Him (2 Corinthians 5:17). Galatians 2:20 tells us: “I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Believers need to quit living in the past because God wants us to focus on what is ahead of us and forget what happened yesterday or many years ago; since Jesus paid the price for us on the cross and blotted out all our sins. “I, even I, am He who blots out your transgressions, for my own sake, and remembers your sins no more.” Isaiah 43:25
We need to learn to put the past behind us. So we may ask: How could God ever forgive me? According to Lamentations 3:22-23, God’s mercy is new every morning, and the Lord tells Jeremiah that He will forgive their iniquity, and will remember their sins no more (Jeremiah 31:34). He told Isaiah: “Though your sins are as scarlet, they will be as white as snow; though they are red like crimson, they will be like wool” (1:18).
God wants to heal everything that hurts us, but first we have to choose to let it go. Just like David we need to acknowledge our sin and ask God to forgive us. “I acknowledged my sin to You, and my iniquity I did not hide; I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord”; and You forgave the guilt of my sin.” (Psalm 32:5)
After a strong exhortation to forget the former things, the Lord says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Do you not perceive it?” This question is vital to understanding how dwelling on the past affects us. The fact is, when we are caught up in the thoughts and events of the past, wallowing in the hurts and pain of yesterday, we become oblivious to the “new” things the Lord is doing all around us. That’s why God asks, “Do you not perceive it?” The perceptions of someone who struggles with letting go of the past literally become dulled—keeping them from “seeing” the good things the Lord is doing all around them.
We must get our eyes off the past and fasten them upon the power of the Lord. The writer of Hebrews tell us to: “…fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith…” (Hebrews 12:2) This cannot be done when our eyes are fixed on our past.
While there is a place and time to recollect the events of the past to gain a heart of wisdom, there is also a time to just let it go—release it. The apostle Paul said: “Not that I have already obtained it or have already become perfect, but I press on so that I may lay hold of that for which also I was laid hold of by Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 3:12)
God does not want us to go through life looking in the rear view mirror. It’s time now to look ahead and focus on what’s before us. God wants to do a new thing in our lives. He wants us to rise up to our full potential in Him. The Lord has called us to do mighty things. He will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert for us.
We have to keep moving forward. It is only in moving forward that we ever accomplish what God has called us to. We cannot stay where we are, nor can we go backwards. The only direction we can go is forward. So let’s move on and keep our eyes focused on God and grow. Just as it is written: “Things which eye has not seen and ear has not heard, And which have not entered the heart of man, All that God has prepared for those who love Him.” (1 Corinthians 2:9)
“You will keep in perfect peace those whose minds are steadfast, because they trust in You.”
Isaiah 26:3
Mission Venture Ministries 
Nice Holy Work…God bless you!
By: George Masih Malik on July 29, 2012
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Thank you for your kind comments. All honor and glory goes to our heavenly Father. We are glad that His inspired message touched your heart. Blessing on your day.
By: missionventureministries on July 31, 2012
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Thank you for this 🙂 May God continue to bless and empower you 🙂
By: Juls on October 26, 2016
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You are welcome Juls. We have an awesome God and He helps us with our needs thru His Holy Word. Blessings
By: missionventureministries on October 27, 2016
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Your message super encourage my heart and spirit this day. I now understand what God is saying and doing in my life. This is guidance and direction for me. God awesome and mighty have use you to revive and restore my spiritual life. Thank you very much!!!!!
By: Julian on February 4, 2017
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Praise the Lord, He is so good and so faithful. Blessings to you Julian
By: missionventureministries on February 4, 2017
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I enjoyed reading this passage of scripture and getting a better understanding of it. Thanks for your works God bless
By: ernestine hodges on May 5, 2017
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Thank you Ernestine. God is so good. Blessings to you also.
By: missionventureministries on May 11, 2017
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Thank you for sharing the Good News, it is very helpful. May God bless you.😇🙏!!!
By: Sione Kisepi on November 20, 2018
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You are most welcome. May God bless you also.
By: missionventureministries on November 21, 2018
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I’m in tears I’m looking on my past and trying to trust Fos and move forward I feel I’m not worthy of this (him working on my life making a way) I’m in tears because I hate to feel this way ,I’m just trying to do better and I need him right now thank you for this message,I’m confused and unsure,I received this scripture from my text from Jesus app so I looked up the scriptures in detail and found this page it’s very motivational ❤️ I’m just a lady who is not preciveing like I should having a doubt that I’m not worthy and unsure if he is pleased with me ,I will continue to pray for strength and keep moving forward
By: Tiffany on February 5, 2019
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We will be praying for you Tiffany. We have an awesome God!
By: missionventureministries on February 6, 2019
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Thank you….
By: Tia on August 15, 2019
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You are welcome Tia. May God continue opening up your mind and blessing you.
By: missionventureministries on August 15, 2019
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Thank you for adding me to your mailing list God bless you
By: Viloshni on April 1, 2020
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You are welcome Viloshni, may the Lord continue blessing you.
By: missionventureministries on April 2, 2020
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Thank u for the encouragement. Eight years on it is still a blessing.
By: hopefield2017 on June 22, 2020
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You are most welcome. Will continue praying for you. God bless
By: missionventureministries on June 24, 2020
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Thanks a lot for blessing me through this words. May God bless you in Jesus name
By: Nanpan on May 25, 2021
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Thank you Nanpan, may God continue blessing you also.
By: missionventureministries on May 26, 2021
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My desire is to be directed by God. I want to be where God is..please pray for me..
By: Eve on June 6, 2021
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Hi Eve, we will be praying for your that the Lord will comfort you and give you strength. Blessings
By: missionventureministries on June 9, 2021
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This is RIGHT ON TIME!!! Thank you!!!
By: Beth on June 2, 2022
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Hi Beth, God is so good and He shows us what we need in His time. Blessings to you, Mission Venture Ministries
By: missionventureministries on June 8, 2022
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I have been dealing with things, this morning I listen to my bible scriptures’ and piano music like I always have. I googled the meaning of Isaiah 43:18 ( I have seen this verse many times, this morning was different). I thank God for being God I clicked on you all website out of many. I lost my husband Robert 10/07/22 I can’t see the good times only the bad ones, feeling guilt and other things, yes I asked God to forgive me of my sins, but my mind always go back, I miss him but this morning God has given me peace and the will to go on and stop wallowing in guilt, shame and other things. I pray God continue to let His Light shine through you all for people like me in the dark, needing to see the Light of God. Bless you all!
By: Lillie on October 31, 2022
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I am glad God spoke to you thru His Holy Scriptures. Praying for you.
By: missionventureministries on November 2, 2022
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I have enjoyed the message. My prayer is that I focus on moving forward
By: Charles on January 21, 2024
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Amen! We will be praying for you Charles.
By: missionventureministries on January 24, 2024
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