Isaiah 43:18-19a “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing!”
Christ exchanged the old, torn and tattered past, with a brand new present. Every saint has a past. As long as we hold on to the sticky past we will not be able to receive the pretty present. God will never pour new wine into old wineskin. Only those who stop dwelling and delving into the ugly past can receive a brand new present. Jesus has exchanged the past with the present; perils with pearls and pain with provision. Only when we exchange the old with the new can we embrace the new beginnings, opportunities and purposes. God never promised a smooth sailing, just a safe landing.
Joseph’s father gave him an expensive coat of many colours. Genesis 37:3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than any of his other sons.., and he made an ornate robe for him. When his envious brothers sold Joseph into slavery, they ripped his multicoloured coat and dipped it in animal’s blood. If they had sold Joseph with the coat, he could have held the coat close to his heart when he missed his father and his cosy home. Even the memory of the luxurious past had to be erased when he was hurled into the hands of strangers and thrust into the unknown future. It was only because the “coat of favouritism” was tattered could the Lord grant him the “coat of favour” in Egypt. Genesis 41:42b He(Pharaoh) dressed him in robes of fine linen and put a gold chain around his neck.
Our benevolent Father has exchanged the bad past with a better present and a brighter future. We have to let go of the pitiful past, painful precedent to embrace the prosperous plan, purpose and future that God has for us. There will be phone numbers we have to block, parties that we must avoid and priorities that we have to change in order to receive a beautiful present, packaged in love, from our heavenly Father.
The old was exchanged with new at the cross :
1. Potential: Joseph was a prophetic dreamer! His dreams caused contention, commotion and covetousness among his envious brothers which turned them into ravaging wolves. If your potential was suppressed by your own kin, if envy has hindered your growth or your talents were ignored, unrecognised or even mistreated, you are not alone. Joseph’s favourite fancy coat had to be snatched away in exchange for the coat of power, influence and authority. Let go of the fancy to receive favour.
2. Pride: Joseph was as spoilt son of a wealthy man Jacob. Being sold as a slave must have been depressing, debasing and disparaging. Joseph lost his pride, property and possessions. There were no postal or internet connections to reconnect him back to his father or his homeland. However, God restored multiple times more than what he lost. Joseph became the ruler of Egypt. Genesis 41:41 So Pharaoh said to Joseph, “I hereby put you in charge of the whole land of Egypt.” “Sometimes we have to take a step backward to move forward”. Let go off pride to receive purpose in exchange.
3. Position: There are defeats that God permits in order to get our attention and focus back to Him. We might lose some battles but will ultimately win the war. Joseph lost the comfortable position in his father’s domicile in order to take the ‘position of power’ in the Pharaoh’s citadel. When we are pushed out of the comfort zone, it is to move us into the power zone. Let go of the cosy in order to inherit the authority.
We cannot receive the brand new beginnings, challenges and opportunities that God has for us if our hands are full of the past, pain, pitfalls, possessions and positions. When we let go, the Lord will replenish us with presents, pearls and provisions.
Isaiah 43:19 See, I am doing a new thing!”
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