The Apostle Paul made clear that his focus was the present. He confessed his self-righteous past, renouncing it for the fellowship and riches of knowing Jesus (Philippians 3:13, 14).
Certainly the sins and attitudes of our life before Christ should be put away, since they are forgiven in Jesus. But for the believer, there is a “new past” which should be remembered, not forgotten.
In fact, God was always reminding Israel (Deuteronomy 15:15; 20:1; 24:22; 29:2; Joshua 24:17; etc., etc.) of how they had been delivered “out of the land of Egypt, out of the house of bondage.” Not only that, the Israelites were to recite these stories to their children, who were to do the same, for all generations to come (Deuteronomy 4:9; 6:7; 11:19; 32:46; etc., etc.).
David reminds himself of God’s past kindnesses to him as a basis for asking yet another deliverance:
Answer me when I call, O God of my righteousness!
You have given me relief when I was in distress.
Be gracious to me and hear my prayer!
Psalm 4:1
This kind of living in the past we should do, remembering and repeating God’s rescues, His numerous gifts, His amazing patience, and His great love towards sinners!
I challenge you to try it. The next time you are in need, before you even pray, recall and thank the Lord for His past deliverance and blessings. It will do you good.
“I remember the days of old;
I meditate on all you have done;
I ponder the work of your hands.”
Psalm 143:5