How does Isaiah 43:18 connect with Philippians 3:13 on moving forward? Setting the Scene • Isaiah 43 is God’s promise to Israel of redemption and a new exodus. • Philippians 3 records Paul’s testimony of abandoning personal achievements to pursue Christ. Key Verses • Isaiah 43:18: “Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old.” • Philippians 3:13: “Brothers, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and reaching forward to what is ahead,” The Call to Forget • Isaiah: God commands Israel to stop rehearsing past failures (their rebellion) and even past victories (the first exodus). • Philippians: Paul refuses to let past credentials or sins anchor him; he deletes them from the ledger (vv. 4–9). • Common thread: deliberate, Spirit-enabled choice to break mental ties with yesterday. Pressing Toward What’s New • Isaiah 43:19—“Behold, I am about to do something new”—follows the command to forget, showing God’s forward momentum. • Philippians 3:14—“I press on toward the goal to win the prize of God’s heavenly calling in Christ Jesus”—Paul’s eyes lock on the future finish line. • Both passages shift focus from memory to mission. Connecting the Dots 1. Same Author behind both texts calls His people to progress, not paralysis. 2. Past deliverance (Red Sea) and past religion (Pharisaic status) are real, yet insufficient for present obedience. 3. God’s new work demands uncluttered hearts; lingering in yesterday crowds out today’s assignment. 4. Movement is God-ward: Israel looks for fresh deliverance; Paul runs toward Christ-likeness (Romans 8:29). Practical Steps for Today • Identify and surrender any “former things” (defeats, successes, wounds, trophies). • Replace backward glances with forward gazes—set the mind “on things above” (Colossians 3:1-2). • Embrace the “new thing” God is doing: sanctification, service, or specific calling. • Keep pace with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25); motionless nostalgia quenches His leading. Additional Scripture Support • 2 Corinthians 5:17—new creation reality makes the old obsolete. • Luke 9:62—plowmen who look back are unfit for the kingdom. • Hebrews 12:1-2—lay aside every weight and run with eyes fixed on Jesus. |
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