Isa 43:18-22
“New” – not existing before, or existing before but now seen or experienced in a new way.
New beginning – rebirth, regeneration, revival, resurrection, awakening, revitalization.
We typically desire something new when the old is either non-existent or inadequate. For issues related to our position, possessions or our passions, to some extent are mostly within our power to change – job, car, house, hobbies, relationship; but it becomes a bit more tricky when the things that are non-existent or inadequate is your life have to do with your person, progress or your purpose in life – addictions, personality traits and our relationship with God.
They say you only have one opportunity to make a first impression – meaning that there are some things that you just can’t undo, some words you cannot unsay or unhear maybe some thoughts you cannot unthink. I bet there some areas in your lives (in our lives) which we wish you could go back in time, re-write the script, wipe clean the slate clean – unsay, undo, unthink (if that makes any sense).
The reality is that – …With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible – Matt 19:26. The good news is that our God is a God of new beginings so you don’t have to walk alone.
Look at His promise:
Remember ye not the former things, neither consider the things of old.19 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. – Is 43:18-19
It’s interesting that the things God told them to forget where not all bad:
V1 – I created thee, I formed thee, I have redeemed thee
V3 – I gave Egypt, Ethiopia and Seba for thee
V7 – I have created you for my glory
V12 – I have declared, and have saved, and I have shewed
V14 – I have brought down the nobles of Babylon for your sake
V16 – I made a way in the sea and a path in the mighty waters
V17 – I brought down the chariot, the horse, the army and their powers and sent them to extinction
But… this is just the beginning.
There is obviously nothing wrong in recounting God’s faithfulness and past blessings but in the light of what He is about to do in you, He says don’t dwell too much on the past cause if you think that’s something, wait till you see what I’m about to do next.
– It will be New
– It will be Now
– It will be Notable/News worthy
– It will be Nothing like what you have ever experienced – the Holy Spirit – Is 44:3, John 7:37-39
But how do we know He wants to do this:
1. He owns you – You belong to Him – Is 43:1,7 – He formed you, He redeemed you, He has called you (by creation, conversion and calling)
2. He loves you – v4 (… Passion)
3. He will restore you – v5,6 (… Preservation)
4. He has called you – v7 (… Personalization/branding)
How do we know He can do this:
• I am the Lord thy God, the Holy one of Israel, thy savior – v3
• I am He: before me there was no God formed, neither shall there be after me – v10
• I, even I, am the Lord; and beside me there is no savior – v11
• I am God – v12
What do we need to do:
– Remember not – v18
– Fear not – v5
– Cease not to come to Him and call upon Him – v22
– Sin not – v25-28 – Lost in sin – come to Him –
Lacking – come to Him
Looking for more – Ezekiel 36:25-26
Then will I sprinkle clean water upon you, and ye shall be clean: from all your filthiness, and from all your idols, will I cleanse you.
26 A new heart also will I give you, and a new spirit will I put within you: and I will take away the stony heart out of your flesh, and I will give you an heart of flesh.
27 And I will put my spirit within you, and cause you to walk in my statutes, and ye shall keep my judgments, and do them.
28 And ye shall dwell in the land that I gave to your fathers; and ye shall be my people, and I will be your God. – Ez 36:25-27