Isaiah 43:1-3a,
16-21
The text at which we are
looking today is a good text with which to live as we begin this New Year. This background of God’s intervening in
history and doing a “new thing” leads us to look at two very different
approaches to life—“If Only vs. “Next Time.”
“If Only” vs. ”Next Time”
1.
"If only" looks backward; "Next time" is a look forward.
2.
"If only" is a word of defeat;
"Next time" is a word of hope.
When I am anxious it is
because I am living in the future.
When I am depressed it is because I am living in the past.
I. The “If Only” Approach to Life…
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.”
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past.”
· Is a life dominated by regrets.
· Creates discouragement which leads to
defeat.
·
Causes
us to be preoccupied with revenge.
Resentment means to re-feel.
When the person feeling resentment is
directing the emotion at themselves it appears as remorse.
Resentment forms a lens
through which we view the person and their behavior and calls attention
to everything they do that confirms our anger.
·
Is always an expression of self-pity.
·
Ultimately, self-pity is a protest
against God.
II. The “Next Time”
Approach to Life…
“Behold, I will do
something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it?”
·
Forgets what others have done to
you and concentrates on what others have done for you.
· Learns from
the past instead of continuing to wallow in it.
·
Digs a grave and buries negative
thoughts so that you might cultivate a garden for positive ideas.
·
Looks beyond the surface of
things to the reality of life.
·
Trusts God to meet our needs with His
supply.
I will even make a
roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.
Faith overcomes fear, it
doesn’t remove it.
·
Remembers the works of God and Praises Him.
The people whom I
formed for Myself Will declare My praise.
It’s not WHAT we look at that
determines our experience but HOW we look at it.
