You shall never return that way again!

“The Lord has said to you, ‘You shall never return that way again.’”

If they had been thinking of that land from which they had gone out, they would have had opportunity to return. But as it is, they desire a better country, that is, a heavenly one . . . choosing rather to be mistreated with the people of God than to enjoy the fleeting pleasures of sin. He considered the reproach of Christ greater wealth than the treasures of Egypt.—“But my righteous one shall live by faith, and if he shrinks back, my soul has no pleasure in him.” But we are not of those who shrink back and are destroyed, but of those who have faith and preserve their souls.—“No one who puts his hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” But far be it from me to boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world.—“Therefore go out from their midst, and be separate from them, says the Lord, and touch no unclean thing; then I will welcome you.”
He who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ.

‘You shall never return that way again.’(Deut 17:16)

And I am sure of this, that he who began a good work in you will bring it to completion at the day of Jesus Christ. (Phil 1:6)

What promises and what a balm for the soul these words are for those who struggle with sin and weakness!

Think of the moment when your eyes were first opened to the sin you are fighting against today. Remember how it consumed you? Remember how deep and impenetrable it seemed? So you still fight the good fight and still sometimes you fail, but isn’t it less now? Isn’t it less “darling” or enslaving now? Doesn’t it rear its ugly head less? Aren’t it’s talons far less deep now than they were then? This is the grace of God to you! He who revealed the sin and continues to deal promises “You shall never return that way again” and that He will “bring it to completion”! Draw strength from His. Let His confidence replace your own and press on. Failure does not equate or necessitate retreat. Don’t shrink back! Let your present weakness underscore your need of Him, not push you away from the source of aid! Repent and move forward. He will bring it to completion and ensure that you never return to this place again!