Releasing Regrets Through Isaiah 43:18-19 Forgiveness

Isaiah 43:18-19 calls for a deliberate release of past regrets and an embrace of the new things God is actively doing in our lives. God commands us to "forget about what’s happened" and to avoid dwelling on old history, as fixating on the past can obstruct progress along the new paths He is creating. This directive is not merely about ignoring the past but about refusing to let it define or limit our future.

Dwelling on past mistakes can cause life to spiral out of control, much like the dangerous consequences of unchecked arrogance or unresolved regrets. Such fixation is comparable to a cow chewing cud—repeatedly bringing up the same unresolved thoughts without moving toward resolution. This pattern of rumination leads to a loss of peace and hope, as exemplified by Jeremiah’s experience in Lamentations, where past decisions resulted in a profound deprivation of peace.

There are two fundamental choices regarding regrets: to relive them continuously or to accept the forgiveness offered through Jesus and release those burdens. Forgiveness is not conditional on forgetting but on acknowledging guilt, accepting Christ’s forgiveness, and moving forward with confidence.

The process of releasing regrets involves three essential steps. First, one must admit guilt and take ownership of mistakes. Second, it is necessary to accept Christ’s forgiveness fully, recognizing that forgiveness is already granted and available. Third, focus must shift toward the future, understanding that God has a purpose that transcends past failures. This forward-looking perspective enables believers to step into the new things God is doing, trusting His promise to make a way where there seems to be no way.

By letting go of past regrets, embracing divine forgiveness, and looking ahead to new opportunities, individuals align themselves with the transformative work God is performing. Isaiah 43:18-19 affirms that God is continually at work, ready to do something new for those willing to move beyond their old history [13:59], [14:34].

This article was written by an AI tool for churches, based on a sermon from Rescue House Church, one of 60 churches in Boulder, CO