[094]. A MESSAGE FROM A POEM – FORGETTING THE PAST, LOOK AHEAD

Someone posted to a Christian forum I was on, a four line stanza once, that in effect said that you can not go back and fix the past, i.e. to go back and alter the beginning but you can start from here and make a brand new end. I was taken by that expression and this poem/hymn is a result of that.

I suppose all Christians can recall the times in their lives when the wrong turnings have been taken, and errors committed, and mistakes made that even now continue to affect them. We have a merciful Saviour who understandings our failures and sympathizes with us in these situations. He does not want to leave us there on “grovel ground” as I have called it. He wants to lift us up and assure us that He is with us forever and wants to keep and guide in the days ahead.

On the other hand the evil one will continue to taunt us with the remembrances of our failures and leave us in Doubting Castle with recriminations, a sense of failure and worthlessness, and continuing regrets. This is his method of causing defeated Christians. Are you a defeated Christian as you read this? Have you known the sense of failure for the past that you cannot alter? I have been there too. This poem also comes from my personal experiences.

Let us take the words of the Lord again in {{Matthew 11:28-30: “Come to Me, all who are weary and heavy-laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you, and learn from Me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you shall find rest for your souls. “For My yoke is easy, and My load is light.”}} It has the common 8-8-8-8 metre and can be sung to some tunes.

God does not want us to be miserable. As a lizard sheds its skin, even so must we shed that burden of failure and step out walking hand in hand with Jesus. {{2 Corinthians 4:16 “Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer man is decaying, yet our inner man is being renewed day by day.”}} Step out in a renewed day with renewed hope for a brand new end.

===========================================================

FORGETTING THE PAST, LOOK AHEAD

You cannot change the past, my friend,

Or change those things you now regret.

But there can be a different end,

So with the past, you must not fret.

==============================

You must not rest on “grovel ground,”

Recalling all your past mistakes.

So leave those failures in God’s pound;

It’s trust, your misery then breaks.

==============================

Oh! Catch the sight of renewed hope,

Begin the journey now again.

God’s will lies right within your scope;

His guiding light can never wane.

==============================

From here go on with Christ your Guide,

And trust His loving, caring hand.

Now in His word you must abide;

His love and mercy, understand.

==============================

2 March, 1997 R E Ferguson 8-8-8-8

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