We are moving into a new year and one of the verses I see being posted a lot on social media is from Isaiah 43:18-19. A new year gives us hope that we can either shift from the previous year and move into a new direction or rise to a new level. Existing in this hope is a tension between a move of God and the state of culture. These verses in Isaiah bring the tension and anticipation of hope to more, a promise.
“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Here are my thoughts and comments:
- What God is doing is new.
- What God is doing will come suddenly.
- What God is doing will need discernment because God asks the question “Will you not be aware of it?”
- We have the tendency to compare God’s movement and actions based on the past and God says don’t compare this new thing with the former.
- God will bring to those who are currently lost a direction and a path to follow.
- God will move in a way that brings refreshing to those who are experiencing drought or dryness in their spirit.
The whole context of this passage is God is doing something new for a people whom He is forming for himself and the result is praise. Claim them as life and hope for the new year!
