2020 Dichotomy

This morning I unwrapped my new calendar and placed it on the wall reminding me there are some things about New Year’s Day that I love. I get to look back and reflect on the events of the former year, but I also get excited about the possibilities in the year ahead.

Yesterday, as I contemplated what I might post in the new year, I considered God’s own dichotomy about looking back and ahead, so I looked up “remember” and “forget” in my Bible search engine. It gave me quite a list of things to remember and a couple we are to forget.

Seven things to remember(not an extensive list): 1) the deeds of the Lord and his miracles-Psalms 77:11; 2) to obey all of God’s commands-Numbers 15:40; 3) the wonders, miracles and judgments of God-1 Chronicles 16:12; 4) to extol his works-Job 36:24; 5) His name-Psalm 119:55; 6)others in prayer (including the poor, those in prison, and our leaders-Galatians 2:10, Hebrews 13:3, and Hebrews 13:7)-Philemon 1:4; 7) Jesus Christ raised from the dead-2 Timothy 2:8.

Two things to forget: 1) the former things–don’t dwell there-Isaiah 43:18; and 2) what is behind–strain toward what is ahead-Philippians 3:13. Okay, so maybe those two are forgetting the same things, but the message is a good one to repeat (smile). Perhaps that’s why God said it twice–once in the Old Testament, and once in the New.

So what do I remember about 2019? How God met my needs and answered so many prayers I have a hard time remembering all the responses. Because of His faithfulness, I can extol His name, Jesus who was raised from the dead so that I might have abundant life. Do I need to forget these things entirely? No, but I don’t live there. God has so much more in store in 2020 and beyond! Let’s press on, looking forward to the opportunities God is going to bring our way to work in and through us in this coming year.

Happy and blessed New Year, my friends!