Insight for Today
A Daily Devotional by Pastor Chuck Swindoll

Stuck in the Past

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PERHAPS YOU’RE FIGHTING an inner battle with a ghost from the past. The specter of a previous hurt haunts your mind and steals your peace.

Before you surrender your case as hopeless, consider the liberating evidence of freedom offered in the Bible. Take an honest look at men and women whom God used despite their past regrets.

Abraham, founder of Israel and tagged “the friend of God,” once worshiped idols. Joseph had a prison record but later became prime minister of Egypt. Moses was a murderer but later delivered his nation from the slavery of Pharaoh. Jephthah was an illegitimate child who ran around with a tough bunch of thugs before God chose him as His personal ambassador. Rahab, a harlot in the streets of Jericho, believed God’s Word and wound up listed in God’s hall of faith.

Peter openly denied the Lord three times, only to return as the rock upon which Christ would build His church. You know how that happens? It happens because . . .

This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for he faced all of the same testings we do, yet he did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive his mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.

HEBREWS 4:15–16

How magnificent is grace! How sweet are the promises! How precious is God’s love! How broad is God’s mercy! How refreshing is the Lord!

If you’re stuck in the failure of your past, run to Jesus. He’s been there, done that. He knows. He cares. And He is abundantly available to offer His mercy and grace in your time of need. What’s keeping you from approaching His throne of grace with boldness today? I invite you to meet your High Priest, Savior, Creator, and Friend. He not only is faithful, but He stays faithful.