Isaiah 43:18-19; Mark 2: 22;
“Do not remember the former things, nor consider the things of old.
19 Behold, I will do a new thing, now it shall spring forth; Shall you not know it?
I will even make a road in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert”.
The term ‘new’ is a word that brings thrill and excitement, even hope to – many; because it epitomizes that which did not exist before, or has been recently discovered. ‘New’ is a word that tingles the ear – people talk about their new cars, new homes, new job, new friends, etc. Folks of the female gender make reference to seemingly little but exciting new items such as shoes, purses, clothing, etc.
On a larger scale, people announce the birth of a new born baby – what a thrilling experience when there is a new addition to the family. On another note, the joy and celebration that accompanies the birth of a new year is remarkable. There is just something about this three-letter word that is welcomed all over the globe!
If you love the word ‘new’, then it will interest and excite you to know that God is doing a new thing this year! As read in Isaiah 43:18-19, God is asking us to forget the former things – the past years of pain, the wasted labor and efforts, the long nights of tears, the shame, the turmoil, the humiliation, disappointments, oppression, disgrace, depression – whatever it may have been! Why? Because God is going to redeem our fruitless pasts – HE is about to do a new thing!
‘Rivers in the desert’ is not a daily occurrence; as a matter of fact, you’ll be lucky to find a river in the desert. But God is talking about ‘rivers’ here – it’s plural. This connotes a subtle thought that this ‘new’ thing will register multiple blessings, characterized by uncommon miracles, divine favors, and unprecedented breakthroughs – that which has never happened prior to now! What a comforting thought!
Therefore, in anticipation of this new thing, we have some preparation to do. We need to shake off the old habits, old attitude, old behavior, and old mind-set; because we cannot put new wine into an old bottle (the Bible says). This new level cannot accommodate fear, unforgiveness, murmuring, complaints, worry, gossip, strife, offenses, malice, jealousy, adultery, fornication, idolatry, anger, hatred, etc.
Folks, we’ve been in the ‘old’ for long now; it’s time for the new to come. Let us prepare ourselves to receive that which God has in store for us this year, for HE has promised to do a new thing!
Shalom!