Leaving the Past Behind

Leaving the Past Behind

Reading: Joshua 5:9-12

Exposition: Moving Forward in Faith

Change can be difficult. Letting go of past struggles or failures often feels impossible. In Joshua 5, Israel stands on the brink of a new chapter, having finally crossed the Jordan into the Promised Land. God tells them, “Today I have rolled away the reproach of Egypt from you.” Their identity as former slaves is being replaced with their new reality as God’s free people. For the first time, they eat the produce of the land, no longer dependent on manna.

This passage signifies a spiritual shift. The Israelites had wandered for forty years, but now they were stepping into the fulfillment of God’s promise. Just as God provided for them in the wilderness, He was now calling them to trust Him in a new way. This foreshadows Christ, who delivers us from sin and invites us into the freedom of new life in Him.

Application: Embracing God’s Provision and Freedom
We all carry burdens from our past—sins, regrets, or fears that keep us from moving forward. But in Christ, we are no longer bound by what was. Like Israel, we must trust that God has freed us and step into His promises. This means letting go of shame, believing in His provision, and living in gratitude for what He has given. When we stop dwelling on the past and embrace His present work in our lives, we walk in true freedom.

Transform Our Heart Through Prayer
Lord, help me to leave the past behind and trust in Your provision. Free me from shame and remind me of my new identity in Christ. Teach me to walk in faith and embrace the freedom You have given me. Holy Spirit, guide me into the new life You have prepared. Amen.