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How, Lord … can I look to the future?

In the Word

Forget what happened in the past, and do not dwell on events from long ago. I am going to do something new. It is already happening. Don’t you recognize it?  (Isaiah 43:18–19a GOD’S WORD).

Of the Word

It is impossible to walk forward if we’re looking back. Sooner or later we will stumble. It is much safer to look to where we are going than to where we have been. Likewise, we won’t ever see what the future holds if we continue to live in the past. How can we possibly have a better tomorrow if we are still living with the troubles of yesterday? The past is past.

God wants us to live joy-filled lives. That is possible if we focus on Him. We receive God’s forgiveness when we go to Him in prayer, confessing our wrongs, fears, regrets, and doubts about the past. God is faithful and reliable. If we confess our sins, he forgives them and cleanses us from everything we’ve done wrong (1 John 1:9 GOD’S WORD).

We are forgiven! Now it’s time to move on, time to focus on hopes not fears. It’s time to recognize God is waiting to lead us to a future He has already planned for us. 

Walking with my Lord

Gracious Lord, I am ready to focus on Your promises of forgiveness and love. Help me to grow in faith and be willing to allow the Holy Spirit to lead me where You have planned for me to go. May I recognize Your blessings along the way. In Jesus’ name. Amen.


Mustard Seed: How, Lord? Marcia Gomulka and Myrna Lou Meyer, authors. 16/32 ©2011 Lutheran Women’s Missionary League, 801 Seminary Place Ste. L010, St. Louis, MO 63105. www.lwml.org

Unless otherwise indicated, Scripture quotations were taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. All rights reserved worldwide.

Scripture quotations marked (GOD’S WORD) are taken from GOD’S WORD ®, © 1995, God’s Word to the Nations. Used by permission of Baker Publishing Group.

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