Let the Past be the Past

Let the past be the past!
Move into the future!
Isaiah 43:25

When God delivered the Children of Israel from Egypt’s bondage they began to face many trials. Life was not always what they expected. They were pursued by Pharaohs’ army, facing an impassable Sea, hungry and thirsty in the hot desert. Their solution: Let’s just return to Egypt! At least things were not this bad while we were slaves. We had food and water. Yes, we had hard taskmasters, but at least we had food and shelter.
Is this a picture of the church sometimes?
Is this a picture of you?
Do we give up to easily when we are faced with a “Red Sea” experience?
Do we wish we were back in the slave quarters of Egypt?
Does the New Life in Christ seem more difficult than you had thought it would be?
Jesus told His followers they would have trials in this life. They would be tried, sifted, persecuted, but if they would hold fast, they would come forth as pure gold. Gold ore has to go through a refining process to come out pure. The furnace is heated to burn out all the dross.
In like manner Christians are put to the test. Do you believe in God? You will suffer persecution. Have we experienced all that Christ suffered for us? NO!
If you are in the midst of a ‘desert’ experience, just press on toward the Promised Land! Great things are waiting for you after the testing. Move forward into the trial, move toward the promise of a land flowing with milk and honey, move into the sweet relationship with your deliverer. And please, remember to enter in regardless of the ‘giants’ that seem to be ahead of you. The Israelites spent forty years in the wilderness because of unbelief. They did not enter in the first time because they looked at the problems, not the promise. Their hearts were still in Egypt, still wanting the old paths, the old ways.
MOVE ON! ENTER IN! Put the past where it belongs. Behind you! Be sure to remember also that you, like them, are not alone. The Lord is with you, every step of the way.

Frances Stewart
January 1, 2010