Overcoming the Past - Steps of Faith (Daily Devotional)

Shalom and thank you for joining us in Living Supernaturally. We have been going through a series of overcoming the past and we pray that this has blessed you and has brought about what God has in store for us to live victorious lives. Through today’s episode, we are looking at how it is important for us to take steps of faith in order to overcome the past. Taking steps of faith is important in overcoming the past. It means acting on your belief in God even when things maybe difficult. This trust in God is despite your feelings and what you’re going through or your circumstance and it is a place where you are moving forward and experiencing healing and transformation because you know who you have trusted. Philippians chapter 3, verses 13 to 14 says, ‘Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.’ This verse uses an analogy of a race, of how we can move forward. It says ‘forgetting’ which means choosing not to dwell on the past experiences to control or limit us and ‘moving forward’ requires accepting the grace and forgiveness that God has. It says straining towards what is ahead. What does that describe? It describes an active effort to move one step at a time, in faith towards the promises and purposes of God, just like an athlete striving for the finish line. A powerful example from the bible of taking steps of faith is where we see Peter after he denies Jesus. I’m sure Peter carried the heavy weight of guilt and shame for denying Jesus three times on the night of Jesus’ arrets. That moment probably could have defined him forever. But when the risen Christ appears to Peter, Jesus didn’t condemn him, instead, He restored him by asking him three times do you love me and then commissioning him to feed His sheep. Peter’ story reflects this- forgetting what is behind, just like we see in Philippians chapter 3. Peter had to let go of that failure and not remain trapped in that shame. Jesus’ forgiveness helped him and freed him to move forward. Instead of being paralyzed by his past, Peter embraced that calling and he stepped out in faith and we see he boldly preached at Pentecost where 3000 people came to faith. We see that he strained towards what was ahead. How can we start taking steps? First and foremost, it is to surrender to the plan of God. Exchanging your plans for God’s promises and submitting to Him trusting that He will guide your path. The next thing is to embrace His promises- believing and holding on to God’s promises. Lastly, it is to act in faith- to persevere one step at a time, holding onto the promises of God. So, as we overcome our past, let’s move forward one step at a time in faith. Let’s pray together, Heavenly Father, we thank you for teaching us that we do not have to be held back by our past but we can keep moving forward. May we do so in faith knowing that your forgiveness and grace have shown us the way forward. May we be bold to take steps in faith by the power of the Holy Spirit, in Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

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