If you’re like many Americans, every year you create New Year’s resolutions which, also like many Americans, few of us keep. However, while we are busy making and breaking resolutions, God remains constant and ready to do a “new thing” in our lives. Isn’t that exciting?
“I am doing a new thing! 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
God Wants to do a New Thing
It’s easy to get excited when we first read this verse; God wants to do something new in our lives, something great! Maybe it’s a new job, finally meeting the man or woman you’ll marry, or improved health. We can all think of areas in our life where we pray God will change things up for the better.
But before we get to that, let’s zoom out and take a look at where this verse fits in historically.
At this time the people of Judah are being held captive in Babylon after King Nebuchadnezzar captured them. To further put things into context, it was during this time that Daniel refused to bow down to King Nebuchadnezzar and was throw into the lion’s den. It is believed the people of Judah were held for around 70 years.
Let’s just stop there a moment.
Imagine being displaced from your home not just for a year but 70 years. You’ve lost everything.You’re not allowed to worship freely. You’re homesick. Your children are growing up in a foreign world with only stories to hear how life once was. It’s fair to say the people of Judah were ready for a “new thing.”
That’s when God comes in, as He promised He would, and says “forget what happened in the past! I am now doing something new and different.” After 70 years in captivity He was promising a way out. Can you imagine what experiencing this must have felt like? After 70 years they would finally be free.
How can we take this biblical story and use it to strengthen our faith? Well, let’s look at this story in its full context again.
God allowed the people of Judah to be taken captive. They endured hardships. But they also had a lot of victories and triumphs. To all that – God said in verse Isaiah 42:18: Forget the former things. Let go of the past.
1. Forget former things. Let go of the past.
It is easy to see God work wonders in our lives, and then hope that sustains us for the future. But it doesn’t. His blessings and triumphs serve as a reminder of what He can do, but they will not sustain our faith. The people of Judah witnessed many triumphs – including the exile from Egypt. Perhaps you’ve witnessed great miracles, too.
Four years ago I was blessed with a job I didn’t think I deserved. A year ago I unexpectedly lost that job. But I couldn’t let my faith suffer because of it. I couldn’t let the first job offer keep me from growing in my faith just because God blessed me with a job, nor could I let losing that job cause my faith to suffer. While the past can be good or painful, we cannot live there. If we’re constantly looking back we will not be able to see where we are going. We all need to constantly renew our mind and spirit in Christ Jesus.
What former things in your past do you need to forget? What failures or tragedies do you need to stop dwelling on?
2. Let God turn your deserts into rivers.
Similarly, we’ve all experienced low times, or droughts in our lives. Perhaps you’re out of a job, are frustrated that you’re still single, dealing with a debilitating disease, having relationship problems, or live far away from home like the Israelites. Since I live in D.C. but my family is in Buffalo, I can relate to them on that one.
What deserts in your life do you feel are drying up your spiritual growth? Identify them and give them to God to make rivers. How?
3. Look for the new thing.
Don’t just create a vision for your life and ask God to bless it. Ask God for His vision for your life and then follow it.
God told the people of Judah that His vision included releasing them from captivity, making their paths clear in the desert, turning wasteland to rivers, and seeing them safely home. Nothing is wasted with God and everything can be redeemed. Health can be restored. Relationships can be mended. New jobs can be found. That’s not to say God will always fix every problem, but He has the ability to turn everything on its head – in a good way.
In whatever area in your life you need refreshment or something new, ask God for His vision.
Now, let’s look at the rest of the passage.
Isaiah 20 & 21:
The wild animals honor me, the jackals and the owls,
because I provide water in the wilderness
and streams in the desert,
to give drink to my people my chosen,
the people I formed for myself
that they may proclaim my praise.”
4. Praise God for this new thing He is doing.
A new prayer technique I’ve been using lately is to thank God for his answer even before I receive it. He is a good and loving Father and no matter how scary this new thing can look, He has a wonderful plan and we should praise Him for it. God takes care of His people, providing water in our deserts. Let’s praise Him today for the new thing He is doing in our lives!
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First and foremost, I love the message and the actionable advice of this post. It is wonderful, nourishing, and uplifting. What strikes me about this post is that you purposely appreciate its understanding in its historical context. I do not think that enough people relying on the Bible understand it fully because they treat it as though it were written in a complete vacuum, not appreciating the conditions and occurrences of the day. This is beautiful, Sarah, and thank you for sharing with Upsy Daisy Linkup!
Thank you, Regina! Understanding the Bible in its entirety is key.
I love the idea of celebrating a new beginning ANY TIME of year!
Blessings to you!
Sarah,
New beginnings. So many. Each day. Even each moment can be a new beginning! Isaiah 43:19 is one of my favorite verses. God is always at work doing a new thing no matter how long the time may seem for us. We must be looking for it, though. Staying alert and tuned in and believing in the answered prayer. I love your suggestion of thanking God even before the prayer has been answered. That is faith! Thanks so much, friend, for sharing this hope in new beginnings with me at Moments of Hope! It is such a joy to have you as part of the community!
Blessings and smiles,
Lori
Thanks for stopping by, Lori. :-)
Such a great reminder and one that I needed today. I have been thinking about making a big change, and I felt like this post was meant for me today. Thank you!
Lauren – I am happy to hear that. Good luck with whatever it is!
This is one of my favorite verses! Something I tend to forget is praising God for the new thing!
Abbey – even before we see what the new thing is! :)
Thank you for share this reminder. We have choices are we going to tear down or are we going to give service and help. I see enough people especially on tv and in government trying to tear down and cause problems. I choose not to be like this.
Oh, I very much needed this encouragement today. Thank you for sharing :)
I am #3 right now all the way. Praying for direction, clarity, and guidance on some STUFF. I love your #4 suggestion, too.
Putting that on my prayer list.
Rebecca – thank you for your kind words. Praying you find direction and clarity!
I so appreciate how you examined the verses in context. It really enriches your understanding.
Sarah- you have such a gift! Thank you for this- I love #4 and definately need to do this more often :)
Loved this and needed this today! Thank you for sharing this! Letting God do His will in our lives…
Thank you, Laura! I was in need of this reminder recently myself.
Great message! I’m always ready for something new..embracing change is sometimes difficult, but I try my best to welcome new things!
Thank you for sharing this, this is exactly the kind of encouragement I needed! I love that you’ve given real suggestions to act on!
Glad it was helpful, Jamie!
A terrific post again. I love the one about praising God for what He’s doing. I often get stuck in what I’m looking forward to Him doing. I need to be grateful in the “now”.
I’m digging your blog! My second time here. :)
This was very provoking for the stage I am at in my life. I really appreciated reading this (even if wasn’t a New Year’s Resolution).
I love that you put the Biblical references with these great tips!
Letting go of the past is key. Letting go also mean forgetting it completely.
I am looking for something new and trusting that God is leading me in the direction that He wants me to go. Great post and a reminder to: STAY HOPEFUL!
Yes! And with God we can be full of hope!
I loved this and it came at the right time. Super encouraging!
Happiest of New Years!!! Such a great way to start ‘18
Such good timing with this biblical encouragement. I love the historical context you provided here so that the verse could be put in perspective.
I personally needed this encouragement this New Year’s Day. Thanks so much for sharing.
Amy, thank you so much for reading. May you have many “new” things this year!
I love how you broke this verse down and included the history. I love this whole verse, but when he promises rivers in the desert, I get chill bumps. Alos, what a great practice to thank God for the new thing before you see it come to pass. Thank you for sharing this!!
Thank you, Jessica! I loved how the verse came to you separately too
My husband actually lost his job a few weeks back and I am really learning to trust in God and His plan and His timing through this difficult season. It’s been hard, but we have hope for the new year and that God makes all things good in His time!
Mariah
http://www.likehoneyblog.com
Yes, he will! Said a quick prayer for your husband’s job right now, too.
thank you for this encouragement! I love these four simple steps and I agree that God is always looking to fill us with the Spirit to start fresh. Thank you!
I found this so encouraging. I love how you said God wants to do something new in us, how we should forget the former things and let go of the past. I struggle with this a little, but I need to keep giving it over to Him. I am thankful that we serve a God who specializes in creating. He can certainly create a new work in us; no matter our circumstances.
I can definitely struggle with letting go of former things too. SO grateful God is a God who creates, too!
#3!! Yes! I want God to go BEFORE me and lead the way! Sure, I’ve got goals and vision for this year, but my biggest priority is growing deeper in my relationship with the Lord, and keeping in line with HIS plans for my life. Love how you put that wonderful verse into perspective. The last few years have been the most difficult of my life, and I have been dragged through the dirt, and I am SO ready for the Lord to do a new thing! I feel like this is the year!
Yes! Can’t wait for your “new” thing!