Remember not the former things

By Evangeline Unity Escala Folson

Remember ye not the former things, Neither consider the things of old Behold, I will do a new thing Now it shall spring forth; Shall ye not know it? I will even make a new way in the Wilderness, and rivers in the desert.

The New Living Translation Says

But forget all that – it is nothing compared to what I am going to do. For I am about to do something new. See, I have already begun! Do you not see it?

I will make a path way through the wilderness. I will create rivers in the dry wasteland.

The Story of Queen Esther

The passage above highlights one major trick the evil one uses on us. Allowing the Memory of the things that happened in the past fill us with so much fear, we are robbed of the joy the Lord can bring us in the future because we can no longer trust Him fully.

For someone like Queen Esther Who was an Orphan. Living with her Uncle Mordecai would not have been as good as living with her parents. Her fear of losing them could have prevented her from acting to Save the Jews when she beCame queen. (Esther 4:1-17) But, she put her past behind her, and acted by taking a bold step that Could have ended her life, to save the Jews.

She became a heroine because she put the past behind her and took a bold Step of faith that was greatly rewarded by God.

The Story of the Apostle Paul

The Apostle Paul suffered greatly under the Roman administration of his time. Not for doing wrong, but for preaching the gospel. Many Christians of today Would have given up their Ministry.

Paul was imprisoned several times, beaten, encountered Shipwrecks, Snake bites ete But he still preached the? Gospels. (Acts 16:1-40). 1 Is an example of the hardships Paul faced for preaching the Gospel.

Lessons from Queen Esther and the Apostle Paul’s experiences

The first lesson that we can Learn from both of them is that “Do not let previous misfortunes rob you of future blessings”

The blessings Queen Esther received from risking her life to save the Jews are uncountable. She herself may be Unaware of Some of them. Even the fact that a whole book in the bible is dedicated to her is a great blessing. So many generations after her will Learn from her example

In the same way, the Apostle Paul is one of the biblical heroes. He wrote about three quarters of the books in the new testament in spite of his suffering. Some of his writings were done in prison. So many Generations after him will learn from his example. Continue doing God’s work no matter the Cost.

If Queen Esther did not plead for the Salvation of the Jews because of fear Or The Apostle Paul did not Stopped doing the work of God because of fear of persecution.

No one will remember them now. The honor and blessings that go with the Sacrifices they made would be lost.

Ecclesiastes 7:1 Says A good name is better than precious Ointment (in Some translation riches replaces Precious ointment) Strive to be known for good works. (Matthew 5:65)

2) The second lesson learn is We Can “Put others needs before Yours!.

Once what you are doing falls in line with the word of God, do it to the glory of God.

This does not include doing things to make you famous or gain favor with men ( referring to human race as a whole) Philippians 2:3-4

3) The third lesson to be Learned is Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of Men. (Romans 12:17)

Trying to revenge out of pain will only get you into more trouble with people and With God. Pain might lead you to do something that is unacceptable in the Sight of God.

The wrath of God is not something anyone should ask for himself.

Queen Esther and Mordecai did not try to revenge by asking for evil for Haman. God acted in his own time

The Apostle Paul did not try to seek revenge on the Roman authorities who imprisoned and had him beaten Several times. It does not pay to revenge

The fourth and last lesson is

Do not allow pressure (peer pressure) to push You to do what is not right in the sight of God

Romans 12:18 Says If it is possible, as much as lieth in you, live peaceably With all men.

The fact that everybody is doing something does not mean it is right. Majority is not always right.

The people of Babylon in Nebuchadnezzar’s time when all wanted the 3 Hebrew boys and Daniel Punished (killed) were not right because God moved On the behalf of the Minority, He Saved Daniel and the three Hebrew boys in spite of the Opposition against them.