No Looking Back

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 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" (Is.43:18-19, NIV).

We are reminded in the story of Lot's wife in Genesis 19:26 and in Luke 17:32, not to look back. Lot's wife was clinging to her past neglecting and ignoring God's specific instructions. She was looking back to her past: people, things, relationships, and the places God was removing her from. This is a display of several things for us to think about: lack of obedience and trust; letting go of the past and possible idols one clings to; the consequences of disobedience; and not focusing on a future with God. What valuable lessons we can learn from this nameless woman referred to as Lot's wife. May we not be like her and look back at what God has delivered us from. May we not become stuck like a salty statue in our past.

It's highly recommended that we are to never look back unless we are looking back at the cross of Christ. Our past, our old life no longer serves us. We should not revisit there. When God has removed us from something in our life, we must let it go and focus forward and upward. Looking back can only cause us to get stuck there reflecting on and feeling guilt, regret, or shame (it can be quite hard and salty there). God wants to move you forward, so allow Him to lead. The only reason to ever look back is to see the cross as a reminder of your new life in Christ. You left it all there, remember that. If you haven't then do so today and accept Him as Your Lord and Savior. Your new focus is on walking forward with Him in a newness of life. "Therefore, we were buried with Him through baptism into death, that just as Christ was raised from the dead by the glory of the Father, even so we also should walk in newness of life" (Romans 6:4, NKJV).

Whatever you are leaving behind, whatever God has brought you through, whatever you have been delivered from, may you confidently focus on Jesus. He says, "Follow Me" over twenty-one times in the New Testament of the Bible. Take small steps of faith and know the living God is with you each step of the way. Follow - Trust - Obey. If you are truly following Him, you can't be looking backwards, or you will lose sight of what's ahead.

 ^"And I give them eternal life, and they will never, ever [by any means] perish; and no one will ever snatch them out of My hand. My Father, who has given them to Me, is greater and mightier than all; and no one is able to snatch them out of the Father’s hand" (John 10:28-29, Amp).

Just know that God's got you! You cannot be snatched from the Father's hand. That is so reassuring! Follow Him with your whole heart as you rest in the palm of His hand and leave anything behind that hinders your spiritual growth.

Father, forgive us for looking back and getting stuck in what You have delivered us from. We praise You and thank You for delivering us out of and away from our Egypt. Praise You for Your Son who provided the way out. May we obediently and faithfully follow Him in all our ways. Help us, Lord, to grow more spiritually mature and continue to strengthen our relationship with You. In Our holy Rescuer's name, Jesus, Amen.