Don't Look Back, Look Around

Isaiah 43:18 NIV

18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.

God used the prophet Isaiah to say this to his people, “forget the former things, do not dwell on the past”

there are some good things in the past of the people

the history of their forefather Abraham

deliverance from Egypt

conquering their enemies

uniting as one strong nation under King David

the peace and prosperity of King Solomon’s time

if they look back, they will see some good things . . . but the word is “don’t look back, look around”

there are some bad things in their past

following after false gods like the heathen nations around them

breaking God rules

taking advantage of the poor and helpless

ignoring God’s prophets and refusing to repent

and all these bad things led to a bad situation - divided, conquered, and no place to call home

if they look back, they will see some bad things . . . but the word is “don’t look back, look around”

We’ve got some good and bad in our past

when I think about the good in my past

I think of younger days when life seemed simpler

responsibilities were few

problems were as not as complicated

strong relationships

blessings and breakthroughs and achievements

there is some bad in my past I can recall too

bad decisions

bad understanding

bad choices

being influenced by bad people

simply doing and being bad

and sometimes bad happening to me, through no fault of my own

good and bad in my past, yet the word is “don’t look back, look around”

don’t misunderstand . . . it’s good to know the past, remember the past, reflect on the past, and certainly it is good to learn from the past

so why does God say, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past”,

God is telling them and us, don’t live in the past, don’t dwell in the past, don’t get stuck in the past

spend too much time reliving the good old days

or spend too much time thinking . . . could have, should have, would have . . .

because the past is past

it’s 2023, and many of us are still stuck on all the changes of 2020

it’s time to live in 2023

the call is to live in the present

why?

Isaiah 43:19 NIV

19 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.

See, I am doing a new thing!

God likes to do new, in the Bible we see

God will put a new song in your mouth

in Ezekiel, he promised to give a new heart, and put in a new spirit

In Jeremiah, he promised a new covenant

His mercies are new

Jesus said “a new commandment I give unto you”

God will give us a new heaven and earth

gives us a new name

and we will be welcome in a new city

God likes new, God does new

but too often, we think of God as god of the past, we only think of

the Stories of Abraham, Moses, David, Elijah, Esther, Daniel

Life of Jesus and the apostles

What God did for my great-grandfather, grandmother

but you can’t let yourself get stuck on those stories because God also works in the right now

in the present-day

God has 21st century miracles and blessings . . . God does new

so don’t look back, look around

Now it will spring forth

“Now it will” presents us with a promise

the new will spring forth

the new will come

the new is on the way

the new will show up

also, “Now it will” also tells us that God will do it - God will start it, God will be the match that lights the fire, it will be because of God’s plan, God’s power, for God’s purpose

the responsibility does not fall on you to make things new, it’s on Him - God is going to make it spring forth

will you not be aware of it?

our job is to be aware of it

our job is to be looking for it

our job is to recognize it

our job is to be expect new

that’s why we must not spend too much time looking back, we need to look around because God has promised to do new

You should expect God to do something new in 2023

And God expects you to be aware of what he will do in 2023

in your life, family, in your church

I encourage you to stay prayed up so that you see it, recognize it, so that it will be revealed

and don’t count out any area of your life, for God says

I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert

God can do new anywhere

God will do new . . .

even in some areas that seem unlikely

even in some areas that will surprise all that hear about it

even in some areas where you would least expect it

when you look around, look good, even in barren places, even in dry places

God says I will even make a roadway in the wilderness - a wilderness is a tough place with no way out

but God even can Make a way out of the most difficult situations

God can even change you from being lost in the wilderness, to just passing through the wilderness on your way to a promised land

even in a dark place, God can give a lamp unto your feet and a light unto your pathway

even make rivers in the desert - not a well or pond, but a river . . . flowing water/constant water/consistent water

God can even put abundance in a place where there used to be need

God can even put prosperity where there used to be lack

God can even make overflow where there used to be an empty cup

don’t look back, look around because God can do an even!

Conclusion

so let of 2020, and pre 2020 . . . it’s 2023, go (2021, 2022)

let past hurts go

past disappointments

past relationships

pass mess ups and mistakes

let past triumphs go

past accomplishments and achievments

God has more in store for you

if you don’t look back, but look around, you will see some things springing forth

new opportunities

new possibilities

new provision

new relationships

new outcomes

all that will lead to a new song in our mouth

a new joy in your heart

a new testimony on your lips

a new dance in your feet

a new wave in your hands

don’t look back, look around and see what new thing God will cause to spring forth in 2023

if you’re not saved, it’s time to live unsaved life in the past and accept Christ