Daily devotional, Dec 27, 2023 Stiff-neck
"Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wildernessand rivers in the desert."
Isaiah 43:18-19
As a child, I did not understand what my mom meant whenever she said someone has a stiff-neck. My little mind could not fathom how a person could suddenly not move his head freely nor look behind his back. That is until I suffered from it later on in my teenage years.
Although it is a temporary pain that can get better with rest, stiff neck could also signify serious illnesses if accompanied with other symptoms. In any case, as 2023 comes to a close, I suddenly thought some people will benefit from getting a figurative stiff neck if only to be able to move on with their lives.
"Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus."
Philippians 3:13-14
And while it is crucial to learn from past experiences by looking back on them, too much reflection could be detrimental to our mental health. When we keep on looking at what’s behind us, thinking back to our mistakes, failures, and regrets, we do not give ourselves the opportunity to move on with our lives and see into fruition God’s best laid plans for us.
We tend to forget that we are not defined by our mistakes and that we have a merciful God who longs to restore us:
“Though you have made me see troubles, many and bitter, you will restore my life again; from the depths of the earth you will again bring me up. You will increase my honor and comfort me once more.” Psalm 71:20-21
So before 2023 finally peels away all the pages of its book, remind yourself to stop browsing back on your trauma. Refrain from zooming in on your failures. And quit hitting your life’s rewind button to check again andagain on your regrets. There is no point in living in the past.
“Return to your fortress, you prisoners of hope; even now I announce that I will restore twice as much to you.” Zechariah 9:12
This 2024, hold on to that hope that you can make a turn around from your mistakes and shortcomings, that you can finally turn away from sins, and embrace the glorious future that God has in store for you.
“I will repay you for the years the locusts have eaten— the great locust and the young locust, the other locusts and the locust swarm — my great army that I sent among you. You will have plenty to eat, until you are full, and you will praise the name of the LORD your God, who has worked wonders for you; never again will my people be shamed."
Joel 2:25-26
If ever you are tempted to use your life’s rear view mirror, then do so. BUT do it to look back on how the Lord has delivered you through all the trials, tragedies, and personal crises you have gone through all your life. How he has comforted you through your self-induced pain and self-deprecatory actions. How faithful he has been to you all this time despite your rebellious heart.
“I remember the days of old; I meditate on all that you have done; I ponder the work of your hands.I stretch out my hands to you; my soul thirsts for you like a parched land.” Psalm 143:5-6
When you want to think of the past, direct your thoughts on the past blessings and answered prayers. Most of the good things in your life today are those that you have prayed for years ago. Reminisce the good times when you have received these blessings, and thank the Lord for them instead of focusing on past events that shook you to your core.
“You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.” Psalm 23:5-6
Lastly, whenever tempted to check back on what’s behind you, go ahead and check but zoom in on the faces of the people God used to lift you up. Refrain from remembering people who have hurt you badly. Ignore those thoughts, lift up those people to the Lord, and let Him handle them.
As for you, give back to the people who have helped you through 2023 and the past years, and praise God with them together. Re-living the hurts and pains inflicted by other people is no way to close a year that you have survived, and neither is it a good way to start 2024.
“Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
When we realize how much God loves us, and the many times He has redeemed us in the past, we will start to appreciate our lives for what it is and move on positively. After all, how can we not rejoice and move on knowing that we are our Lord’s new creation?
Thank you for reading through our devotional today. I invite you to ponder on Psalm 103:1-5 and Isaiah 43:1-5 to dig deeper on today’s topic.
Reflection Question: Do you keep on looking at the past? What is it that keeps you from moving on?
Conversation with the Lord: Heavenly Father, thank you for being close to the brokenhearted, and being so merciful that you take it upon yourself to bind up my wounds. I am offering you my past failures and brokenness, because I know that only you can make me whole again. I love you Lord. Amen.
