Something New
“Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:19
We, in the church, often use this verse at the beginning of a new season or a new year. Most of the time, however, this verse is preemptive in anticipation based upon the success of what has preceded. In other words, we like using this verse about new things to come because our current place is manageable. It makes our spiritual optimism a little more rose-colored.
Right now, a NEW THING would be great! We may not love the here and now of our present reality. Current circumstances around us would not lend us to believe that change for the better, is on the way. Does forward movement seem impossible?
Take heart, He is still doing NEW things! Can’t you see it?
Isaiah 43 is a passage of beautiful movement and forward progress. The message begins with affirmation to the nation of Israel concerning their identity and worth in the eyes of the Lord (vs 1-13). Remember this powerful verse? “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and through the rivers, they shall not overwhelm you; when you walk through fire you shall not be burned, and the flame shall not consume you” (vs 2).
He then reminds His people, that destruction of the enemy is at hand (vs 14-17). Our enemy has had a field day, but he knows his days are numbered. We win every time and all the time. Take cues from scripture that ‘this too shall pass!’
Then came the encouragement to look for the new things that were on the brink! (vs 18-21). Be encouraged to not look to the past, but keep your eyes peeled for what is to come. God’s plans are to prosper you, remember? His plans offer hope and a bright future! (Jeremiah 29:11)
There is a warning in Isaiah 43 (vs 22-28). Israel forgot to call upon God. They were all excited of the new things to come that they didn’t keep their attention on the One who would bring it. Let us not be stiff-necked, but keep our hearts teachable and ready to see what He will do!
Your NEW may look different than my NEW.
God is always at work! He is perfecting us for His glory! I love how Psalm 138:8 reads: “Perfect Your purposes in me oh, Lord, do not forsake the works of your hand, Your love endures forever!” Did you notice how works is plural and hand is singular? In just one of His big, mighty, sovereign hands, He is spinning, creating and perfecting many works in us! He is always up to good things bathed in love.
In Biblical times, when new wine was ready to be poured into wineskins, the vessel had to go through a process of preparation. A worn out skin, subject to the smoke of the home would be brittle and unusable (Psalm 119:83). It would have to be soaked in water to regain moisture, and then oiled to regain flexibility. Once this process was completed, NEW wine could be poured into the fresh wineskin.
As God is preparing something new, be affirmed as to who you are in the Lord. Know that the enemy’s destruction is at hand. Be encouraged that God is doing something NEW, even if you can’t see it right away! Stay spiritually ready and flexible to hold all the NEW He has for you!
Isaiah 35:1, “The wilderness and the land will be glad; the desert will rejoice and blossom like a rose.”
