Question 1

How can I benefit most from the past?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 143:5I remember the days of old. I ponder all your great works and think about what you have done.Galatians 2:19-21My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. I do not treat the grace of God as meaningless. For if keeping the law could make us right with God, then there was no need for Christ to die.Remembering our past helps us to recall what God has done for us. Every past work of God is an assurance for the future. This is particularly true of the past work of Jesus on the cross and how it applies to us as repentant sinners so that we can now live a new life—forgiven and renewed. You still live in this world with its troubles, but the life within you is the eternal life Christ gave you.Exodus 10:2“You can tell your children and grandchildren about how I made a mockery of the Egyptians and about the signs I displayed among them—and so you will know that I am the Lord.”The past gives you opportunities to tell others about God’s actions in biblical history and your own life. What audiences do you have for telling the story about what God has done for you.2 Kings 17:22-23The people of Israel persisted in all the evil ways of Jeroboam. They did not turn from these sins until the Lord finally swept them away from his presence, just as all his prophets had warned. So Israel was exiled from their land to Assyria, where they remain to this day.Zechariah 1:4“Don’t be like your ancestors who would not listen or pay attention when the earlier prophets said to them, ‘This is what the Lord of Heaven’s Armies says: Turn from your evil ways, and stop all your evil practices.’”1 Corinthians 10:10-11Don’t grumble as some of them [the Israelites] did, and then were destroyed by the angel of death. These things happened to them as examples for us. They were written down to warn us who live at the end of the age.God’s written Word is a permanent record of his past actions and the truth God wants you to know. The past helps you learn from others and prevents you from making the same mistakes they did.Ecclesiastes 7:10Don’t long for “the good old days.” This is not wise.Philippians 3:13No, dear brothers and sisters, I [Paul] have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead,While remembering the past can be healthy, living in the past is not. Dwelling on (or in) the past leaves us constantly vulnerable to the shame and sin hiding in our history. We can enjoy fond memories and learn from past mistakes, but we shouldn’t focus on the past because we cannot change it. Living in the past will cause us to miss today’s good possibilities.Deuteronomy 32:7“Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you.”Psalm 78:1-4O my people, listen to my instructions. . . . I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.Isaiah 42:23Who will hear these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future?Lamentations 3:19-24The thought of my suffering and homelessness is bitter beyond words. I will never forget this awful time, as I grieve over my loss. Yet I still dare to hope when I remember this: The faithful love of the Lord never ends! His mercies never cease. Great is his faithfulness; his mercies begin afresh each morning. I say to myself, “The Lord is my inheritance; therefore, I will hope in him!”From the past we learn wise lessons of God at work. We also learn from others—what worked well and what didn’t. We learn not to repeat failure and how to build on success. We are reminded of God’s past faithfulness so we can be encouraged to trust him today.

Question 2

How can remembering my past help me to shape my future?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 26:5-9“You must then say in the presence of the Lord your God, ‘My ancestor Jacob was a wandering Aramean who went to live as a foreigner in Egypt. His family arrived few in number, but in Egypt they became a large and mighty nation. When the Egyptians oppressed and humiliated us by making us their slaves, we cried out to the Lord, the God of our ancestors. He heard our cries and saw our hardship, toil, and oppression. So the Lord brought us out of Egypt with a strong hand and powerful arm, with overwhelming terror, and with miraculous signs and wonders. He brought us to this place and gave us this land flowing with milk and honey!’”Psalm 78:4We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.God wants his people to remember the past for several reasons. First, recalling how God’s power and mercy transformed our lives in the past makes us constantly aware of his power and mercy in the present. Second, remembering how God rescued us in the past gives us confident hope for the future. Third, recalling all that God has provided for us in the past should compel you to thank him and worship him now and in the future. What is the history of your relationship with God? Can you put into words what he has done for you? With whom could you share your spiritual journey? Remembering and telling your stories of the past is a way to shape your stories of the future by inspiring obedient actions.

Question 3

How can I most effectively deal with a hurtful or shameful past?

Accepted Answer

Genesis 33:4Then Esau ran to meet him [Jacob] and embraced him, threw his arms around his neck, and kissed him. And they both wept.Genesis 50:15, 19-21Joseph replied, “Don’t be afraid of me. Am I God, that I can punish you? You intended to harm me, but God intended it all for good. He brought me to this position so I could save the lives of many people.”Matthew 5:23-24“So if you are presenting a sacrifice at the altar in the Temple and you suddenly remember that someone has something against you, leave your sacrifice there at the altar. Go and be reconciled to that person. Then come and offer your sacrifice to God.”Matthew 18:21-22Then Peter came to him and asked, “Lord, how often should I forgive someone who sins against me? Seven times?” “No, not seven times,” Jesus replied, “but seventy times seven!”Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”Forgiving is essential to the healing process. As you release those hurts, you are free to be healed and to grow beyond the pain. Being free from the past in this way makes it possible to free others when they realize they need forgiveness.Genesis 41:51Joseph named his older son Manasseh, for he said, “God has made me forget all my troubles and everyone in my father’s family.”Zechariah 8:13Among the other nations, Judah and Israel became symbols of a cursed nation. But no longer! Now I will rescue you and make you both a symbol and a source of blessing. So don’t be afraid. Be strong, and get on with rebuilding the Temple!When you dwell on the past, it is hard to forget it and move on. Deal with the pain of the past so you can receive the healing God wants to give you today, and so you can move forward toward a future of joy and blessing. Bring your past to God. He was there. Ask him to help you see the good he brought and the good he can still bring out of the pain. In Joseph’s case, he could still recall the events and the perpetrators, but now he could see that God was using what they intended for evil to develop his own character and provide a future for their family.

Question 4

How does my past affect me today?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 32:15-18“But Israel soon became fat and unruly; the people grew heavy, plump, and stuffed! Then they abandoned the God who had made them; they made light of the Rock of their salvation. They stirred up his jealousy by worshiping foreign gods; they provoked his fury with detestable deeds. They offered sacrifices to demons, which are not God, to gods they had not known before, to new gods only recently arrived, to gods their ancestors had never feared. You neglected the Rock who had fathered you; you forgot the God who had given you birth.”2 Chronicles 26:16-20When he [Uzziah] had become powerful, he also became proud, which led to his downfall. He sinned against the Lord his God.Past successes can make us proud. They can make us forget the God who helped make our successes possible. Make sure success drives you toward God in thankfulness and humility, not away from him in self-confidence.Psalm 44:1-3O God, we have heard it with our own ears—our ancestors have told us of all you did in their day, in days long ago . . . It was your right hand and strong arm and the blinding light from your face that helped them, for you loved them.Psalm 105:5-7Remember the wonders he [the Lord] has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given.Isaiah 63:7, 11-14I will tell of the Lord’s unfailing love. I will praise the Lord for all he has done. . . . You led your people, Lord, and gained a magnificent reputation.Seeing how God has worked in the past can give you confidence and hope that he will continue those great works in you in the future. Sharing Bible stories and recounting family history that highlights God’s faithfulness can be powerful influence on the lives of children.Psalm 78:1-4O my people, listen to my instructions. Open your ears to what I am saying, for I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past—stories we have heard and known, stories our ancestors handed down to us. We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders.The past can teach us valuable lessons. But we must know and meditate on the stories in order to learn and profit from them.Hebrews 10:32Think back on those early days when you first learned about Christ. Remember how you remained faithful even though it meant terrible suffering.Surviving the past can strengthen us to endure today. The first days of our relationship with Christ have the potential of creating lasting memories for the years to come. We should review our spiritual past as an incentive to renew our spiritual present.Daniel 4:27King Nebuchadnezzar, please accept my advice. Stop sinning and do what is right. Break from your wicked past and be merciful to the poor. Perhaps then you will continue to prosper.1 Peter 4:3You have had enough in the past of the evil things that godless people enjoy—their immorality and lust, their feasting and drunkenness and wild parties, and their terrible worship of idols.The past can help is avoid temptation today. When we remember past consequences for our mistakes, we will be more motivated to avoid them!2 Samuel 12:13-14Then David confessed to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” Nathan replied, “Yes, but the Lord has forgiven you, and you won’t die for this sin. Nevertheless, because you have shown utter contempt for the word of the Lord by doing this, your child will die.”Matthew 26:69-75Meanwhile, Peter was sitting outside in the courtyard. A servant girl came over and said to him, “You were one of those with Jesus the Galilean.” But Peter denied it in front of everyone. “I don’t know what you’re talking about,” he said. Later, out by the gate, another servant girl noticed him and said to those standing around, “This man was with Jesus of Nazareth.” Again Peter denied it, this time with an oath. “I don’t even know the man,” he said. A little later some of the other bystanders came over to Peter and said, “You must be one of them; we can tell by your Galilean accent.” Peter swore, “A curse on me if I’m lying—I don’t know the man!” And immediately the rooster crowed. Suddenly, Jesus’ words flashed through Peter’s mind: “Before the rooster crows, you will deny three times that you even know me.” And he went away, weeping bitterly.Both David and Peter made grievous errors that they lived to regret. God graciously restored both of them, but there were consequences. Our own past decisions and actions have consequences for our futures.Psalm 106:12-13Then his people believed his promises. Then they sang his praise. Yet how quickly they forgot what he had done! They wouldn’t wait for his counsel!Isaiah 42:23Who will hear these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future?Remembering how God has worked in the past will help you wait for his counsel today.

Question 5

How can I help others learn from the past?

Accepted Answer

Exodus 12:24-28“Remember, these instructions are a permanent law that you and your descendants must observe forever. When you enter the land the Lord has promised to give you, you will continue to observe this ceremony. Then your children will ask, ‘What does this ceremony mean?’ And you will reply, ‘It is the Passover sacrifice to the Lord, for he passed over the houses of the Israelites in Egypt. And though he struck the Egyptians, he spared our families.’” When Moses had finished speaking, all the people bowed down to the ground and worshiped. So the people of Israel did just as the Lord had commanded through Moses and Aaron.Joshua 4:21-24Then Joshua said to the Israelites, “In the future your children will ask, ‘What do these stones mean?’ Then you can tell them, ‘This is where the Israelites crossed the Jordan on dry ground.’ For the Lord your God dried up the river right before your eyes, and he kept it dry until you were all across, just as he did at the Red Sea when he dried it up until we had all crossed over. He did this so all the nations of the earth might know that the Lord’s hand is powerful, and so you might fear the Lord your God forever.”1 Corinthians 10:1I don’t want you to forget, dear brothers and sisters, about our ancestors in the wilderness long ago. All of them were guided by a cloud that moved ahead of them, and all of them walked through the sea on dry ground.Use stories from your past to illustrate to others God’s work in your life. Establish family traditions that point to God’s faithfulness. Remind others that God promises further blessings today and tomorrow.Deuteronomy 32:7“Remember the days of long ago; think about the generations past. Ask your father, and he will inform you. Inquire of your elders, and they will tell you.”Psalm 78:2, 4-7I will speak to you in a parable. I will teach you hidden lessons from our past . . . We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. For he issued his laws to Jacob; he gave his instructions to Israel. He commanded our ancestors to teach them to their children, so the next generation might know them—even the children not yet born—and they in turn will teach their own children. So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands.Take responsibility for passing on God’s truth and character to the generations that follow. Begin by sharing God’s work in your life with your children and grandchildren.Isaiah 42:23Who will hear these lessons from the past and see the ruin that awaits you in the future?Apply yesterday’s life lessons to today. If yesterday has a lesson to learn, learn it. If today has a lesson to teach, share it. Note the warnings from the past. Ask how they apply in the present. Tomorrow’s events and opportunities may be shaped by both yesterday and today.Judges 4:8-10, 16-22Barak told her, “I will go, but only if you go with me.” “Very well,” she replied, “I will go with you. But you will receive no honor in this venture, for the Lord’s victory over Sisera will be at the hands of a woman.” So Deborah went with Barak to Kedesh. At Kedesh, Barak called together the tribes of Zebulun and Naphtali, and 10,000 warriors went up with him. Deborah also went with him. . . .Then Barak chased the chariots and the enemy army all the way to Harosheth-haggoyim, killing all of Sisera’s warriors. Not a single one was left alive. Meanwhile, Sisera ran to the tent of Jael, the wife of Heber the Kenite, because Heber’s family was on friendly terms with King Jabin of Hazor. Jael went out to meet Sisera and said to him, “Come into my tent, sir. Come in. Don’t be afraid.” So he went into her tent, and she covered him with a blanket. “Please give me some water,” he said. “I’m thirsty.” So she gave him some milk from a leather bag and covered him again. “Stand at the door of the tent,” he told her. “If anybody comes and asks you if there is anyone here, say no.” But when Sisera fell asleep from exhaustion, Jael quietly crept up to him with a hammer and tent peg in her hand. Then she drove the tent peg through his temple and into the ground, and so he died. When Barak came looking for Sisera, Jael went out to meet him. She said, “Come, and I will show you the man you are looking for.” So he followed her into the tent and found Sisera lying there dead, with the tent peg through his temple.2 Chronicles 16:7-8At that time Hanani the seer came to King Asa and told him, “Because you have put your trust in the king of Aram instead of in the Lord your God, you missed your chance to destroy the army of the king of Aram. Don’t you remember what happened to the Ethiopians and Libyans and their vast army, with all of their chariots and charioteers? At that time you relied on the Lord, and he handed them over to you.”Remember times when you trusted in God and received a blessing. Also remember times when you failed to trust God and suffered the consequences. What you learn from you actions in the past should help shape how you live today.

Question 6

What can help me remember God’s work in past events of my life?

Accepted Answer

Deuteronomy 4:9“Be careful never to forget what you yourself have seen. Do not let these memories escape from your mind as long as you live! And be sure to pass them on to your children and grandchildren.”Deuteronomy 6:12“Be careful not to forget the Lord, who rescued you from slavery.”Deuteronomy 8:11, 14-15“But that is the time to be careful! Beware that in your plenty you do not forget the Lord your God and disobey his commands, regulations, and decrees that I am giving you today. . . . Do not become proud at that time and forget the Lord your God, who rescued you from slavery in the land of Egypt. Do not forget that he led you through the great and terrifying wilderness with its poisonous snakes and scorpions, where it was so hot and dry. He gave you water from the rock!”Psalm 111:4He causes us to remember his wonderful works. How gracious and merciful is our Lord!Ecclesiastes 12:1Don’t let the excitement of youth cause you to forget your Creator. Honor him in your youth before you grow old and say, “Life is not pleasant anymore.”Isaiah 46:9“Remember the things I have done in the past. For I alone am God! I am God, and there is none like me.”It is easy to forget what you value least. Make sure God remains your top priority and you will be more likely to remember his work in your life. You can do this by telling others about what God has done in your life, meditating on his work in your life, reading his Word to remember how God has worked in history, and by sharing his blessings with future generations. When you do these things, you help yourself and others remember God’s work in the past and provide hope for the future.Psalm 40:5O Lord my God, you have performed many wonders for us. Your plans for us are too numerous to list. You have no equal. If I tried to recite all your wonderful deeds, I would never come to the end of them.Psalm 106:2Who can list the glorious miracles of the Lord? Who can ever praise him enough?Tell yourself and others what God is doing in your life so you can more easily recall and reinforce their meaning for you later on. Make these remembrances the subject of prayer.Psalm 145:5I will meditate on your majestic, glorious splendor and your wonderful miracles.Meditate on God and his work in your life. The more you think about God the more you will remember the effects of your time with him.Psalm 103:2Let all that I am praise the Lord; may I never forget the good things he does for me.Through praise for God’s wonderful work, we reinforce the memory of that work.Psalm 119:16, 93I will delight in your decrees and not forget your word. . . . I will never forget your commandments, for by them you give me life.Proverbs 3:1My child, never forget the things I have taught you. Store my commands in your heart.Proverbs 4:5Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them.Spend lots of time in God’s Word, for in it you will find a storehouse of God’s past blessings to his people. When you talk to your children and others, weave together the lessons from God’s Word and the ways they have influenced your life.Psalm 71:18Now that I am old and gray, do not abandon me, O God. Let me proclaim your power to this new generation, your mighty miracles to all who come after me.Psalm 78:4, 7, 11We will not hide these truths from our children; we will tell the next generation about the glorious deeds of the Lord, about his power and his mighty wonders. . . . So each generation should set its hope anew on God, not forgetting his glorious miracles and obeying his commands. . . . They forgot what he had done—the great wonders he had shown them,Psalm 105:2, 5Sing to him; yes, sing his praises. Tell everyone about his wonderful deeds. . . . Remember the wonders he has performed, his miracles, and the rulings he has given.Share God’s miracles with children and grandchildren so you will build a heritage for future generations. Allow them to witness your heartfelt gratitude to God.Exodus 16:32Then Moses said, “This is what the Lord has commanded: Fill a two-quart container with manna to preserve it for your descendants. Then later generations will be able to see the food I gave you in the wilderness when I set you free from Egypt.”Joshua 4:6“We will use these stones to build a memorial. In the future your children will ask you, ‘What do these stones mean?’”Joshua 22:26-27“So we decided to build the altar, not for burnt offerings or sacrifices, but as a memorial. It will remind our descendants and your descendants that we, too, have the right to worship the Lord at his sanctuary with our burnt offerings, sacrifices, and peace offerings. Then your descendants will not be able to say to ours, ‘You have no claim to the Lord.’”Esther 9:28These days would be remembered and kept from generation to generation and celebrated by every family throughout the provinces and cities of the empire. This Festival of Purim would never cease to be celebrated among the Jews, nor would the memory of what happened ever die out among their descendants.Reflect on special days and special times associated with God’s blessings, for they continue to remind us of who God is and what he has done. Adopt a personal angle to religious holidays and establish family traditions that invite God’s presence in your home life.2 Peter 1:12-13I will always remind you about these things—even though you already know them and are standing firm in the truth you have been taught. And it is only right that I should keep on reminding you as long as I live.Surround yourself with people who remind you of God, his Word, and his ways. Encourage them by thanking them for helping your walk with God.

Question 7

How can I forgive those who have hurt me in the past?

Accepted Answer

Matthew 6:12“Forgive us our sins, as we have forgiven those who sin against us.”Luke 23:34Jesus said, “Father, forgive them, for they don’t know what they are doing.”Luke 6:37“Do not judge others, and you will not be judged. Do not condemn others, or it will all come back against you. Forgive others, and you will be forgiven.”Ephesians 4:32Be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.Just as God has forgiven you, even though you don’t deserve it, you must forgive others, even though they don’t deserve it. That is what forgiveness is all about—it is complete and undeserved. Only then can forgiveness work its miraculous healing power. Forgiveness does not erase the offense, but pardons the offender. Forgiveness sets the forgiver free from the slavery of holding something against someone else. Forgiveness is a choice, a commitment to reflect God’s love to others.

Question 8

How do I deal with regrets?

Accepted Answer

Psalm 32:5Finally, I confessed all my sins to you and stopped trying to hide my guilt. I said to myself, “I will confess my rebellion to the Lord.” And you forgave me! All my guilt is gone.Psalm 51:7, 9-10Purify me from my sins, and I will be clean; wash me, and I will be whiter than snow. . . . Don’t keep looking at my sins. Remove the stain of my guilt. Create in me a clean heart, O God. Renew a loyal spirit within me.Acts 3:19“Now repent of your sins and turn to God, so that your sins may be wiped away.”1 John 1:9If we confess our sins to him, he is faithful and just to forgive us our sins and to cleanse us from all wickedness.Ask for God’s forgiveness. He has an endless supply, but you must ask for it. Regrets carry the weight of past sins; genuine repentance lightens the load with God’s help.Psalm 85:2You forgave the guilt of your people—yes, you covered all their sins.Psalm 103:3He forgives all my sins and heals all my diseases.Psalm 130:3-4Lord, if you kept a record of our sins, who, O Lord, could ever survive? But you offer forgiveness, that we might learn to fear you.Isaiah 1:18“Come now, let’s settle this,” says the Lord. “Though your sins are like scarlet, I will make them as white as snow. Though they are red like crimson, I will make them as white as wool.”Acts 13:39Everyone who believes in him is made right in God’s sight—something the law of Moses could never do.Romans 3:24God, in his grace, freely makes us right in his sight. He did this through Christ Jesus when he freed us from the penalty for our sins.Hebrews 8:12I will forgive their wickedness, and I will never again remember their sins.1 John 2:12I am writing to you who are God’s children because your sins have been forgiven through Jesus.Receive God’s forgiveness. Forgiveness isn’t worth much until you accept it. God’s forgiveness may generate feelings of gratitude, humility, freedom, but it is a deeper reality before it is a feeling.Psalm 32:1Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sin is put out of sight!Psalm 51:12-15Restore to me the joy of your salvation, and make me willing to obey you. Then I will teach your ways to rebels, and they will return to you. Forgive me for shedding blood, O God who saves; then I will joyfully sing of your forgiveness. Unseal my lips, O Lord, that my mouth may praise you.Isaiah 54:4Fear not; you will no longer live in shame. Don’t be afraid; there is no more disgrace for you. You will no longer remember the shame of your youth and the sorrows of widowhood.Romans 4:6-8David also spoke of this when he described the happiness of those who are declared righteous without working for it: “Oh, what joy for those whose disobedience is forgiven, whose sins are put out of sight. Yes, what joy for those whose record the Lord has cleared of sin.”Ephesians 1:7He is so rich in kindness and grace that he purchased our freedom with the blood of his Son and forgave our sins.Rejoice in being truly forgiven. Forgiveness is a time for celebration.Ezekiel 18:22All their past sins will be forgotten, and they will live because of the righteous things they have done.Ezekiel 33:16None of their past sins will be brought up again, for they have done what is just and right, and they will surely live.Romans 6:20-21When you were slaves to sin, you were free from the obligation to do right. And what was the result? You are now ashamed of the things you used to do, things that end in eternal doom.2 Corinthians 5:17Anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!Philippians 3:13No, dear brothers and sisters, I [Paul] have not achieved it, but I focus on this one thing: Forgetting the past and looking forward to what lies ahead.Titus 3:5He [God] saved us, not because of the righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. He washed away our sins, giving us a new birth and new life through the Holy Spirit.Regrets are like a dirty window that keeps us from seeing clearly what is in front of us. But God is in the cleaning business. He washes away the sins of the past as well as the guilt over those sins. If he forgets them completely, so can you. You can choose to move forward joyfully, without carrying the burden of regret.