“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Isaiah 43:18-19
Forget about it!
2020 was rough year for many families. Death, sickness, suffering, and unwelcomed changes. But 2020 wasn’t all bad. Busy schedules gave way to dinner at the kitchen table. Families remembered they were part of… well … a family. . Crisis and chaos turned hearts and minds to Christ as they so often do. Humans realized they do not have it all figured out-no matter the technology, the medicine, the knowledge we cannot control everything. But we like to control things, and when we can’t we turn to fear, chaos, confusion, desperation, hate, greed, envy, spite. Sin.
Though we “try really hard” to be better, and more loving we find deep down we are sinners in desperate need of a Savior. So, what now, on the eve of a new year, what do we do?
The greatest athletes know the secret to success…. They forget about it! That’s right, they forget about the missed shot, the blown tackle, the missed time. They get up, huddle up, and hit the starting blocks one more time. They do not dwell on the past, instead they compete again. They forget about it!
Our Lord didn’t and doesn’t dwell on the past, our sin, instead he forgives and forgets.
For I will forgive their wickedness
and will remember their sins no more.
Jeremiah 31:34
In his endless love and mercy, God made the salvation decision for us, by sending Jesus to forgive our sins. We do, however, have a choice tomorrow morning. We can choose to dwell on 2020 and what a rough year it was. Worse yet, we can choose to dwell on our shameful sins. We can choose to grovel in hate, sickness, death, chaos, confusion, desperation, hate, greed, envy, and spite. We can choose to jump into the stream of our sins and bathe in our own shame thinking next year we will “try really hard” to be better and kinder and more loving. Sorry, but midnight tonight isn’t going to change that.
Our Lord offers another solution – FORGET ABOUT IT! The Lord tells Israel not to focus on the past exodus, or what God has done in the past, but instead, focus on His redeeming plan NOW! He says “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past."
“FORGET ABOUT IT!” our Lord declares. In so many words… Move on! Get up! See what I am doing now, and see what I do in the future!
I have really good news, nay GREAT NEWS for you tonight…. God’s promises are always good. As promised, He sent his son Jesus to die for you, washing ALL of your sins away in 2020 and in 2021. So, if 2020 was rough, forget about it. If you thought your sins were too much for God to forgive, forget about it. Instead, remember what God did for you in Christ- that is something to celebrate.
Pop the cork, blow the kazoo, and let the ticker tape fly, for in Christ, God has made all things new.
PRAYER FOR 2021
Lord Jesus thank you for 2020. The year has been full of changes and trials, and sickness and death. We were reminded, Lord, that we don’t have it all figured out that we are desperate and alone apart from you.
But, we are not a people without hope, no Lord, we are YOUR people. You Lord, alone, are our strength, and if we need to be reminded of that again in 2021 so be it! When we are weak, Lord you are strong. When we are helpless, you are our helper. We ask for your strength and your help.
This new year, Lord Jesus, help us remember that YOU have made all things new. Help us to know in our hearts that we are forgiven and secure. Help us to forget the former things and not dwell on the past. Help us to tell others about you, that they too might have the peace beyond understanding that we have.
This year, this new year LORD, turn our hearts to you. Remind us that you are STILL doing a new thing and may we confidently and boldly love others as you have loved us.
We thank you for your faithfulness, your unending mercies, and remarkable grace. Jesus you reign yesterday, today, and forever.
AMEN
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Austin
