It is hard sometimes to let go of the past. We often continue to experience remorse because of something we did or did not do. Regret can rob the present of much needed time and energy that could be devoted in a constructive way to building for the Lord. We see unhappiness in the loves and faces of others, and we know that at least in part, we are the cause of such feelings. Sometimes when we think about the past, we want to get even with those who hurt us. We blame others for what they did or did not do. Maybe we are refusing to forgive someone for what they did to us.
All of these thoughts and ideas are involved in the process of remembering. The ability to remember is a precious gift. With this ability we can recall many good times that were spent in the company of loved ones. We can reflect on the past with a view to doing better in the future. The children of God learned a much needed lesson about remembering. In fact, they were told to build a memorial as a reminder of what God had done for them.
"Then Samuel took a stone and set it between Mizpah and Shen, and called the of it Ebenezer, saying, Hitherto hath Jehovah helped us" (1 Samuel 7:12). The Philistines defeated the Israelites and took the ark of Jehovah back to their own land for twenty years. It was only after the people of God forsook their idols and destroyed the high places, that God delivered them from the oppression of the Philistines. Israel acknowledged her sin and then offered animal sacrifices to the Lord. Then and only then did the Lord deliver them. A stone was set up in the place of deliverance to remind Israel that their salvation had come from the Lord.
It should be noted that Israel had to renounce everything that stood in opposition to God. Idolatry is anything that stands between us and the Lord. Idols in the heart, unless forsaken, always spell spiritual defeat. The Lord says put away your sin! Renounce it right now! Confession of sin is also a needed element in the forgiveness process. David finally acknowledged his sin with Bathsheba by saying; "Against thee, thee only, have I sinnedÉ" (Psalm 51:4).
Part of repenting is the resolve to do better in the future. Israel determined to serve only the God of heaven. This simply says that we must want to do better in the future. It is true that we have to do this, but we should also want to do better before the Lord. Prayer can help in this regard. Israel continued to pray into the Lord for His help. As we escape the clutches of sin, let us constantly pray for strength and guidance.
The Lord promises to help us live a better life. By following after idols, the children of Israel were defeating God's purposes for them as His chosen people. They were the people of God! As such, they had to engage their enemies in battle. They could win the contest, but only with the Lord's help. We cannot sit idly by, for in doing so, we help Satan accomplish his purposes.
Israel was to remember the stone named Ebenezer, as a reminder of the Lord's help. We are to remember the "stone which the builders rejected." It is only by the power of the sacrifice of Christ that we can let go of the past and press on the future in joyful service and eager anticipation of a home in heaven. Lord help us to never forget that!
~In Gospel Power, Anderson, Alabama, 10/5/97.