Key verse: “Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).
Historians have been recording the events of history since the Phoenicians in Africa invented the first alphabet. Our past is composed of many traditions, superstitions, folk tales, works of art, archaeological objects, books and written records of our accomplishments, pains and sufferings. Sometimes, we study the past to gain a better understanding of other people and places. But the purpose of most recorded history is to draw valuable lessons from which we can improve our own lives and have a better future.
The children of Israel in our text had great spiritual experiences throughout their history. From the first Passover, to the crossing of the Red Sea, to the conquering of the land of Canaan, to the building of the temple, the children of Israel had seen the hand of God at work in and through their lives. Yet, they sinned and went into captivity in Babylon for lack of faith in God. They needed a new vision and assurance of what God could do. Then, God promised to do new things for them.
Like the Israelites, many of us have made many mistakes and have experienced many setbacks and failures as a result. Sometimes, we allow these mistakes, setbacks and failures to enslave us to the point that we never enjoy the full Christian life as going forward looks very much like a complex game of chess.
Forget the past because today marks a new season of upload of great divine blessings into your life and ministry. God created the four seasons that are based on the rotation of the Earth as it orbits the Sun. The seasons change as the earth moves, but the sun in our planetary system remains constant and everything revolves around it. Much like the earth, if our lives revolve around the Son, Jesus Christ who remains constant yesterday, today and forever, changes will occur as we enter and exit many seasons. He is able to transform the desert areas of our lives into fields of blessings and abundance this New Year. It’s a new season; God will do new things for us. Happy new year!
“Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth; shall ye not know it? I will even make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert” (Isaiah 43:19).
THOUGHT FOR THE DAY: It’s a new day, arise and embrace it.
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