Facing the Past with Grace and Courage
Facing the Past with Grace and Courage
“Forgetting what lies behind” does not mean pretending our past never happened. Instead, it means our history no longer has the power to define or imprison us. Sometimes, moving forward requires us to revisit the past for confession, restitution, or reconciliation. Grace does not excuse us from responsibility; it empowers us to face our story with hope, trusting that God can redeem even our deepest wounds and failures.
God invites us to bring our whole selves, past and present, into the light of His love. When we do, our trials and mistakes can become testimonies of His transforming power. We are not called to live in denial or shame, but to walk forward in freedom, knowing that nothing in our past is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
Joel 2:13-14 (KJV): “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?”
Reflection: Is there a part of your past you need to bring before God for healing or forgiveness? What step can you take today to move forward in grace and responsibility?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
“Forgetting what lies behind” does not mean pretending our past never happened. Instead, it means our history no longer has the power to define or imprison us. Sometimes, moving forward requires us to revisit the past for confession, restitution, or reconciliation. Grace does not excuse us from responsibility; it empowers us to face our story with hope, trusting that God can redeem even our deepest wounds and failures.
God invites us to bring our whole selves, past and present, into the light of His love. When we do, our trials and mistakes can become testimonies of His transforming power. We are not called to live in denial or shame, but to walk forward in freedom, knowing that nothing in our past is beyond the reach of God’s grace.
Joel 2:13-14 (KJV): “And rend your heart, and not your garments, and turn unto the Lord your God: for he is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and of great kindness, and repenteth him of the evil. Who knoweth if he will return and repent, and leave a blessing behind him; even a meat offering and a drink offering unto the Lord your God?”
Reflection: Is there a part of your past you need to bring before God for healing or forgiveness? What step can you take today to move forward in grace and responsibility?
To listen to the sermon that corresponds with this devotion, click the link below: https://www.mbcpb.org/media
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