Behold, I Make All Things New!

 

 I spent over 20 years of my life away from Jesus. From about ages 15-35. Though I had a rocky childhood and witnessed much divorce, my mother did take us to Sunday School, so I knew about the Gospel. But I drifted far far away from the Lord. If I had to guess, I'd say I was not saved at all during that time. Those 20 years were the worst years of my life. From the world's point of view, they would say they were the best years of my life because I was young and free and enjoyed much of what life had to offer. You name it, I did it or tried it. I was a child of the devil. I walked in darkness. And yet, I thought I had the world by the tail. In truth, as I look back, I see what an empty existence it was and how shallow and hollow all the pleasures were that I sought after.  Nothing fulfilled. Nothing satisfied, at least not for long. I had no inner joy or peace and definitely no purpose other than to please myself. I made many many mistakes that not only hurt myself but hurt others, and with those mistakes come tons of regrets.  

 

The enemy is good at bringing up our past mistakes, isn't he?  For years, as a new believer, I battled guilt until the Lord set me free from that through His Word and His Love. In particular, I love Romans 8:1, which says that there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, for those who now walk according to the Spirit and not the Flesh. Also there are other Scriptures which speak of God not only forgiving us, but forgetting our sins!  I wish I could forget!  You see, guilt and regrets are two different things. My guilt is gone, but the regrets remain. I often think, If only I could only go back in time and do things right. Do you feel that way?  I know I missed out on many opportunities in life and I hurt the people I love the most. I think Regrets are here to stay until we get to heaven. Why? To keep us humble and to keep us appreciating our salvation in Jesus.

 

Recently, the Lord really helped me deal better with my regrets, and I hope this will bless you as well. This doesn't just cover regrets over past actions but regrets over missed opportunities. You see, Jesus is in the business of making all things new. 

And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”  Then He who sat on the throne said, “Behold, I make all things new.” And He said to me, “Write, for these words are true and faithful.” Rev 21:4-5

 

Notice here that the former things have passed away AND that God will wipe away our tears, our regrets.

 

But it gets better!

 

And I will restore or replace for you the years that the locust has eaten—the hopping locust, the stripping locust, and the crawling locust, My great army which I sent among you.  And you shall eat in plenty and be satisfied and praise the name of the Lord, your God, Who has dealt wondrously with you. And My people shall never be put to shame. Joel 2:25-26

 

God will not only wipe away our regrets, but He will RESTORE or REPLACE the years the locust ate away from your life. What sort of regrets are we talking about? Well, maybe you have a certain talent or desire to do something... like paint, dance, build things, teach, do experiments, raise chickens! I don't know. It could be anything that you've always wanted to do but never got around to. Perhaps you've been stuck in a career you didn't enjoy for most of your life. Maybe you always wanted to sail around the world and see exotic places and you never had the chance. You might even feel like you missed your calling. Even if you've been a good Christian your entire life, you may feel like you didn't do enough with the gifts God gave you. Or worse, maybe you feel like you wasted so many years doing the wrong things, and like me, you wasted 20 years wandering down the wrong path. 

 

I'm' here to tell you that God Will Make Up for all those Wasted Years!  Eternity is Far beyond anything we can imagine. It is a place where all the dreams God gave you will come true, and all the talents He planted in you will be put to use!

 

 To grant consolation and joy to those who mourn in Zion—to give them an ornament of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, the garment of praise instead of a heavy, burdened, and failing spirit—that they may be called oaks of righteousness [lofty, strong, and magnificent, distinguished for uprightness, justice, and right standing with God], the planting of the Lord, that He may be glorified.
 And they shall rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations. Isaiah 61:3-4 

 

Want your ruins rebuilt? Want your wasted years restored?  Put your faith in the Living God and In Jesus and trust Him for your salvation. Then follow Him with all your heart because very soon, He's coming to get those of us devoted to Him to bring us into our new lives with Him!