Patrick Henry is remembered most for his fiery words, “Give me liberty or give me death.” But he also made another statement that often shows up in quotation collections: “I know of no way of judging the future but by the past.”

Say that aloud to an audience and you’ll likely see heads nodding in agreement. It sounds like good common sense. And in some areas—politics, history, even investing — it may hold true. But as a foundation for life and faith, it falls short.

That’s because God does not relate to us based on our past. Instead, God offers us the chance to let go of yesterday and begin again — every single day.

Jeremiah captured this hope when he wrote:

“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” (Lamentations 3:22–23)

The Bible is full of stories that prove this truth. David, Moses, Peter, Paul—each carried a past that could have disqualified them. Yet God did not judge their future by their failures. And God doesn’t do that with you, either. As the psalmist reminds us: “He does not treat us as our sins deserve.” (Psalm 103:10)

Every sunrise is a reminder that God’s mercies are fresh, that we are invited to step into the day with a clean slate. What a gift it is to begin again.

And just as God refuses to let the past stand in the way of our future, we are called to extend that same grace to one another. Imagine how different our relationships would be if we offered each other the same gift of new mercies each morning.

So, as you step into today, remember: your past does not define your future. God’s love does.