Isaiah 51:1 “Listen to me, you who pursue righteousness
and who seek the Lord:
Look to the rock from which you were cut
and to the quarry from which you were hewn.”

This verse was used in one of my seminary classes as an introduction to Church history. That is valid only so long as those studying that history are indeed pursuing righteousness and seeking the Lord. The longer and more glorious the history, the greater the risk of depending on that history rather than on the Lord who made it possible. Also, we tend to remember the high points of history and forget the low ones, idolizing those who have gone before us instead of recognizing our shared humanity. Every accomplishment of man is by the grace of God. We forget that to our peril. It is indeed good to look back occasionally to be reminded of how God has carried us and our ancestors along, but we are not to dwell on the past either. Just prior to this passage, in Isaiah 43:18, God says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.” The point of this verse is to remember how God took Abraham, who was totally insignificant on the world scale at the time, and made a nation out of him. The focus is not on how great Abraham was, but on how mighty God was on his behalf. If that is our focus, then looking back over our personal and national history is a good thing. However, many people are chained to the past, feeling they can never overcome what they have done or what was done to them. They are looking to themselves, instead of “pursuing righteousness and seeking the Lord.” That leads to “the paralysis of analysis,” as it has been called. God has great plans for each of us, and He’s not limited by our weaknesses and failures, if we will only believe and trust Him.

I’ve gotten caught in this trap quite a few times, in different ways. On the one hand, I have been blinded by pride in my family history, and on the other hand I have felt like I have never accomplished anything. Both sides of that are distortions from the devil. I can and should have gratitude for what God has done for, in, and through my family in the past, and be encouraged that He can do the same and more using me, but I am never to take that for granted. God is not obligated to me in any way. At the same time, I am to remember that my ancestors were as human as I am, facing different challenges perhaps, but with the same or similar character flaws. My focus in thinking about my ancestors is never to be on how great they were, but on how great and gracious God was in relation to them. Accordingly, I am not to seek recognition from men but rather approval from God. My ultimate reward, my goal, is to hear my Lord say, “Well done, good and faithful servant.” (Matthew 25:21)

Father, thank You for this reminder. Any time I lower my eyes from Jesus I put myself in danger of burnout. (Hebrews 12:3) May I indeed learn from history, both personal and otherwise, but remember that You aren’t limited by the past in any way. May I indeed pursue righteousness and seek You, and let everything else fall into place in relation to that, for Your glory. Thank You. Praise God!