How does my past affect me today?

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.