LIGHTHOUSE DAILY DEVOTION
(Sent daily except Sunday)
(Some of the Devotions are original, some are adapted)
December 31, 2018
WE CANNOT CHANGE THE PAST
Deuteronomy 17:16 – “Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”
These words are part of the instructions given by Moses to the children of Israel after they had been delivered from the land of bondage. He admonished them to never return that way again. Although the text applies primarily to God’s ancient people and is a warning against seeking help from Egypt, we want to draw a spiritual application from it as we enter a new year. It is time for us to pause and reflect on the things which are irrevocable and have become a matter of record. The Lord is saying to us now, “Ye shall henceforth return no more that way.”
As we look back over the last 12 months, we are filled with emotions of joy and sadness. Praise comes to our lips as we contemplate the longsuffering and faithfulness of God in bringing us this far; but there are also feelings of regret. Knowing that we cannot undo the wrongs of yesterday, our mistakes and sins cause us to hang our heads in shame. The book of this past year has been sealed, and we cannot rewrite its pages.
What can we do as we realize the unalterable nature of our past? The only response is to confess our failures and sins and receive God’s wonderful forgiveness. May this prayer express the desire of our hearts: “O Lord, we confess that we have failed thee so often. Acknowledging our sins and failures, we now accept thy cleansing so graciously extended through Jesus Christ Thy Son. Help us in the year ahead to loveTthee fervently and serve Thee better and more consistently. In the name of our risen Savior, who is soon coming again, we pray. Amen!”
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Wit and Wisdom – Life is a one-way street; live in the realization that you shall not pass this way again!
Poem to Ponder:
Now fresh in our hands once more is laid
A clean, new book, by the Master made;
Unmarred are the pages lying there –
Twelve new chapters so fresh and fair.
