A New Thing!
- Jan 1, 2018
- 3 min read
Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV) 18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!
Happy New Year!!!
Wow! That was quick. It's like I blinked twice and just like that 2017 was gone.
52 weeks. 365 days. Gone. Into Eternity. Now what?!
For many, last year brought with it great accomplishments, whether they be marriages, graduations, promotions, children, and the list goes on. For countless others, the year 2017 was filled with devastating tragedies. Some had a mix of both - the highest of highs and the lowest of lows. However, regardless of the changing tides, there was ONE constant in 2017 - the sustaining power of God in our lives! (Acts 17:28)
God was present in every moment. (Psalm 139:7-10; Job 34:21) Through trying circumstances and mountain-top experiences, God never left us. (Deuteronomy 31:6; Hebrews 13:5) And if there is one surety for 2018, it's that He will continue to be there for us in all of life - the good and the bad. (Isaiah 41:10) We may not know what 2018 holds but we know who holds 2018 - our entire future is in His hands. (Psalm 95:4; Colossians 1:17)
The new year, for the majority, promises a new beginning, a fresh start, a clean slate, a time to reflect on the past. For others, the uncertainty fills them with trepidation, while others remain haunted by past mistakes and misfortune. For the latter, God says, "Forget the former things, do not dwell on the past." Yes! reflection for a moment is good, but do not dwell there. After all, God is doing something new - a new thing! Do you not perceive it?!
You see, it does not take a new year to bring about change. God isn't bound by time and the tradition of New Year's resolutions. He is doing, has been doing a new thing in your life! (Isaiah 43:19) God is presently and continuously working to make us into new creations (2 Corinthians 5:17); restoring His image in us. And He can use the lows of life, the seemingly insurmountable tragedies, to perfect that creation. He works all things together for good, to those who love Him. (Romans 8:28)
God promises that, in the wastelands of our life, He will make a way and further than that, He assures us that He will cause rivers to spring forth in our desert places. (Isaiah 43:19) And He does this all year through. He doesn't make a promise and not fulfill - His resolutions are all seen through to the finish! (Numbers 23:19) Isn't that wonderful news?!
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind. Does he speak and then not act? Does he promise and not fulfill? -Numbers 23:19 (NIV)
You can be assured in 2018 that as God has promised to you, so it shall be. Claim his promises! He says: "Prove me", "Test me in this", "see if I will not throw open the floodgates of heaven and pour out so much blessing that there will not be room enough to store it." (Malachi 3:10) You can trust that no matter what comes your way in life - successes and or failures - that God is doing a new thing. Do you not perceive it?
Prayer: Dear Lord, Thank You for keeping all your promises to me. I look forward to experiencing the new thing you are doing in my life. For this, I am truly grateful. In Jesus' Name, Amen.
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