A New Thing
Today has been a fairly busy day. For me that is good. I have been taking care of some personal business here at home and making some phone calls. This afternoon I got out to get a haircut, get some gas, by the post office and in the midst of it all navigated myself around with my two-wheel walker. The last two days I have at least felt up to doing some of my home exercises. My strength is gaining. When I compare myself to this time a year ago, I am eager to see this time next year roll around.
I received an email from our friend Judy Price in Ohio, she noted my reference to fall pictures and decided to share some eastern landscapes. They do have a greater variety of colors, but I told her the trees seemed to block the view of the mountains! I am thankful for the beauty of this time of the year throughout our country. Although, I’m not sure if it has been this long into the fall that I have had trees that are still as green as they are. They may go from green to black with a sudden change in weather. We will see.
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18,19
These words of the prophet to God’s people are important for anyone who needs to put the past behind them and experience a new beginning. What I like about these verse is that they are for a people who are beginning to experience an extended time in the “wilderness” and the “desert.” God’s people were getting ready to go into captivity in Babylon. This was going to be the process that He would use to purify their hearts and to give them a new beginning. This was going to be the “darkest of the night before the dawn” experience for those who were not able to shake their idolatry and rebellion.
The Lord is telling them to forget the past along with the way “things were done.” In order for us to move toward to a new life and new beginning we must deal with the past. We need to stop revisiting, rehearsing and reliving. When God asks, “do you not perceive it?” God’s people could easily say, “NO!” All we see is desert and all we feel is deserted. But God is the One who is best at bringing something out of nothing. He did that in creation and He does that when He re-creates. To God wildernesses and deserts are not the end they are the seedbed of something new.
God specializes in that which is “new.” Remember 2 Corinthians 5:17 “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.” That is why Paul said, “…put on the new self who is being renewed to a true knowledge according to the image of the One who created him.” (Colossians 3:10)
Peter looking ahead to God’s final work said, “But according to his promise we are waiting for new heavens and a new earth in which righteousness dwells.” (2 Peter 3:13) John saw heaven opened and this resounding announcement, “And he who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” (Revelation 21:2)
Hold onto God’s promise of the “new.” A new beginning. A new love for Him. A new direction and purpose in your life. You may feel like you are in a wasteland of doubt and despair. But see with eyes of faith and see the “new thing” – that is about to spring forth in God’s way to accomplish His work in you. It is happening now!