Stop Looking Back

Read: Genesis 19:1-26

Meditation verse:

“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old” (Isaiah 43:18).

Remember Lot’s wife? She looked back towards Sodom despite being warned not to, and she became a pillar of salt.

Looking back can represent thinking of the past with regret, fear or longing. One of the ways the enemy tries to keep you down is by constantly reminding you of your past failures, errors, wrong choices, sins and setbacks until you become imprisoned in it. He wants you to focus only on what is wrong with you, until you lose your faith in God and in yourself.
“Selective Attention” is a concept in psychology that states that as humans, we selectively attend to what supports what we believe and selectively ignore what does not. Selective attention amplifies what we attend to, in size, frequency, amplitude and emotional tone. It determines what we physically orientate towards and move towards even when trying to avoid it. This is one of Satan’s strategies. If he can get you to believe that you are a failure, then you will only notice the ways you have failed. You will ignore your victories and who you are in Christ Jesus. You must resist him until he flees.

God urges us to forget the former things and focus on the new. You cannot turn a new chapter of your life if you keep reliving the former one. Apostle Paul understood this when he said: “…but one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind and reaching forward to those things which are ahead” (Phil 3:13). No matter how messed up you are right now, what lies ahead of you is more important because of the finished work on the cross.
So, what should you do today? If you have accepted Jesus as your Lord and Saviour, remember that your past sins are forgiven, look forward to a more glorious future because of your hope in Christ. If you have not yet accepted Him, pause now and confess your sins to Him. Ask Him to forgive you and come into your heart as Lord and Saviour. Then believe that you are forgiven. It is as simple as that.

IN HIS PRESENCE is written by Oke Chinye.
Have you asked Jesus Christ to come into your heart?

He says in Mathew 11:28, “come unto me all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” He longs to give you rest."

Would you like to do so now? Here’s a prayer you can say:
Dear Jesus, I believe that You died to save me from all my sins. Today, I invite you into my heart and I accept you as my Lord and Saviour. Please forgive all my sins and help me to live my life for You.

If you prayed this prayer, send me an email at rockteachingministry@gmail.com

I would love to pray with you personally and send you a copy of my book; ‘Living the Life’ to encourage you as you begin your new life in Christ.