Isaiah 43: 18-19 “Do not remember the former things, neither consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth, shall you not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”.
What a tremendous word as we step in to the new year with all it’s opportunities for proving God. God’s word encourages us not to look back in to the past, now is the time for moving forward with Him.
As we consider the above scripture, it necessitates a relinquishing of all thoughts of how we think God is going to “do a new thing”. By now we should have learnt that God’s thoughts and plans far exceed anything we can ask or think, (Isaiah 55:8). Let us abandon ourselves in joyful expectation to allow the amazing creation of God to overwhelm us, as we witness the ushering in of this new thing springing forth.
Too often we consider the greatness of our problems, instead of considering the greatness of our God. As our thoughts remain on the problem, we magnify the problem instead of magnifying the Lord. God gave a challenge to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the Lord, the God of all flesh, is there anything too hard for me?”, Jeremiah 32:27.
Our old, worldly way of thinking is a stronghold needing to be broken. Romans 12:2 nails the problem of wrong thinking and provides the solution: “Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God”. Some areas of our life will only be changed by changing our believing. Wrong believing produces wrong living, magnifying life’s problems, entertaining unbelief. Right believing produces right living, our minds are transformed by believing God’s word, faith and trust in God increases.
Our birthright in Christ is fully comprehensive, in other words, He has everything covered in His provision. Jesus instructions for life were simple and uncomplicated. As we obey His words we discover this truth. He taught us to take no thought for tomorrow, but to seek first the kingdom of God, and His righteousness, and all these things would be added to us. (Read Matthew 6: 25-34). As we put God first, He takes care of the detail.
In Matthew 10:6 we find Jesus sending His disciples to the lost sheep of the house of Israel. The modern day church is now the house of Israel. Sadly, we find many lost sheep within many traditional churches. Through different circumstances they appear to have lost their way, not their faith and belief in the Lord Jesus. Some have become battered and bruised through wrong teaching, disillusionment, failure, unanswered questions producing confusion. Some have suffered by wrong leadership control, some feel suffocated and restricted by legalism, religion…..the list is endless. These are the modern day lost sheep of the house of Israel, they have lost their way. Thankfully, God has not cast them out, even if they feel certain people have. Jesus ever lives as our great High Priest to intercede for all the lost sheep. He ever searches for every lost sheep to carry them back to His sheep fold where they can receive all the benefits of Psalm 23, as He restores the soul. The Master has reclaimed His own and made provision for the lost to now be found IN HIM! Strength for the day and provision for all the tomorrows…..
A new day is dawning, a new year has begun. Let us remind ourselves once more: “…….do not consider the things of old. Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth…..” Isaiah 43:18-19. Keep your lamp trimmed and stay expectant!
May we become channels of the Father’s blessing to others in 2022. May His love light shine through us to lift the name of Jesus higher for the world to see.
