“And truly if they had called to mind that country from which they had come out, they would have had opportunity to return. But now they desire a better, that is, a heavenly country. Therefore God is not ashamed to be called their God, for He has prepared a city for them.” (Hebrews 11:15-16)
The above Scripture is referring to Abraham and his family. Had they gone back to Ur from which God had told them to leave, Abraham would not have become the father of FAITH.
“…one thing I do: forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus…" (Philippians 3:13-14)
"...as it is written: What no eye has seen, what no ear has heard, and what no human mind has conceived - the things God has prepared for those who love him - these are the things God has revealed to us by his Spirit.” (1 Corinthians 2:9-10)
Barbara Streisand sang beautifully about memories in the hit song of the movie The Way We Were…
"Memories may be beautiful and yet, What’s too painful to remember we simply choose to forget. So it’s the laughter we will remember whenever we remember the way we were."
When times get tough, we have a tendency to want to return to a better place memorialized in the corners of our minds, the beauty and the laughter. That is OK but keep moving forward because it is our tendency to start longing for what was, rather than looking forward to what we have been promised by God. The future that God has prepared for humanity is far better than the past or present - off the charts better and more than we can ever dream!
“See, I will create new heavens and a new earth. The former things will not be remembered, nor will they come to mind." (Isaiah 65:17)
"And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, “Look! God’s dwelling place is now among the people, and he will dwell with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. ‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” He who was seated on the throne said, “I am making everything new!” Then he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.” (Revelation 21:3-5)