GET OUT OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR (Part III)

GET OUT OF THE REARVIEW MIRROR! (Part III)

It is a terribly destructive thing to become trapped in one’s past and unable to dwell joyfully in the present.  So make the positive choice of laying aside all weighty shackles of self-recrimination.  You are a victor, not a victim.  Refuse to get stuck in PAST tragedies, PAST mishaps and PAST sins, which can only be described as the PARALYSIS OF ANALYSIS. (Hebrews 12:1) My friend, you cannot drive into your future while focusing solely on your rearview mirror!

Allow me to share two life-altering revelations about your past.

First of all, GOD has purposefully (and completely) FORGOTTEN your past faults, failures, foibles and fiascoes.  May I remind you of the divine perspective on any born-again, blood-bought, believer in Christ?  “For I will be merciful to their unrighteousness, and their sins and their iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 8:12) It is such a vital Kingdom principle that the Holy Spirit expresses it repeatedly in His Word.  “And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.” (Hebrews 10:17)

Secondly, GOD has promised restoration to any person who (once spiritually adopted into His Kingdom) has fallen from full fellowship with Him.  Yes, you might have departed from His service for a season, but you were never abandoned by His grace.  Regardless of the apparent impact of your time away from a relational connection with Him, God promises COMPLETE RESTORATION. 

“My little children, these things write I unto you, that you sin not.  And if any man sin, we have an advocate with the Father, Jesus Christ the righteous.” (I John 2:1)

“And I will restore to you the years that the locust has eaten, the cankerworm, and the caterpillar, and the palmerworm, my great army which I sent among you.” (Joel 2:25)

These twin scriptural passages assure us that (unless we willfully choose to do so), we will not be separated from God’s grace, mercy and love.  For a third biblical witness, you may refer to Romans 8:35-39.

The Joel passage (quoted above) reveals a unique and surprising pattern in the plan and purpose of God.  Take note of the fact that GOD implies that HE has sent those life-shaking pestilences of cankerworms, caterpillars and palmerworms.  GOD describes them as “MY GREAT ARMY WHICH I HAVE SENT AMONG YOU.” (Joel 2:25) Now hear this!  Not every seemingly bad situation or troubling test has its origins in hell.  The devil didn’t necessary do it.  Some of those awful appearing packages could have been dispatched directly from Heaven!

I am keenly aware that this revelation might ‘mess’ with someone’s idea or image of who God is and how God works.  But hear me out.  Theologians and all believers have long wrestled with the so-called problem of theodicy.  That is, how could a GOD who is all good and all powerful allow evil events to invade the lives of His children?

For an answer to this perennial question, we need only consider Romans 8:28. “For we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to His purpose.”  My friend, SOMETIMES GOD SENDS THE LOCUSTS, not for our destruction, but for our growth, our development and our good!  Jesus put it another way: “He makes His sun rise on the evil and on the good, and sends rain on the just and on the unjust.” (Matthew 5:45) Take note of the simple fact that “rain” involves two diametrically opposed possibilities.  Sufficient rain can produce plentiful harvests.  Excessive rain can result in floods and famine.

Here’s the thing.  We must resolve in our soul and spirit to completely TRUST THE RAINMAKER.  After all, HE knows how much we can (and should) bear.  In the words of the Apostle Paul, “No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it.” (I Corinthians 10:13) So, whatever your life-situation might be, if you are IN IT…GOD is fully capable of seeing you THROUGH IT and getting you OUT OF IT!  So trust.  Never doubt.

And never ever allow negative, distorted, demonically inspired images of your past self to become barriers to confidence in God’s overflowing love, grace and mercy that are extended continually to you.

Stay out the rear view mirror, my friend.  Your past has never been (and never will be) a reason why GOD would not honor HIS covenant relationship in the present time – in this present world.  The Word declares that “man who is born of woman is of few days and full of trouble.” (Job 14:1) Trouble is just the human condition.  However, as a bona fide believer in Christ, you are forever blessed and never cursed. (Joshua 1:8 – Deuteronomy 28:1-14) So maintain that positive spirit and elevated perspective.  The past HAs passed, And GOD is on your side!

Romans 8:1

There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit.

Sisters and brothers, be continually blessed, and please (above all else) MAKE SURE YOU ARE READY TO MEET OUR SOON COMING KING. Maranatha!