the greenest grass around

Isaiah discusses forgetting the former things and tells us not to dwell on the past. I don’t know about you, but some things I just can’t seem to “forget.”Even if I want to, the memory or images pops into my mind. Today we will look at how God creates new things in us and how we are supposed to “forget” former things.

In Isaiah, God speaks through the prophet Isaiah warning his people, Israel, of future punishment for being unfaithful to his commandments. He would allow them to be defeated and taken captive by their enemies and they would be exiles in their enemies’ land for many years.

God is telling them about a “new thing” in their future. Their current position was about to change.

In this text, the people of Israel faced punishment for their unfaithfulness. But we have to remember bad things happen all the time. When bad things happen, we aren’t necessarily facing punishment. My son didn’t die because of something we did… Bad things happen because we live in a fallen world. We are often told in the Bible that we should expect suffering, mourning, and trials in this life. God gave Adam and Eve free will just as he has given us. They (and we) make choices, and because of what happened in the Garden of Eden, we are fallen and sinned.

But when we take God’s offer and repent of our sins, He will hear us and forgive their sins (2 Chronicles 7:14/ 1 John 1:9). Just like the Israelites, God provided for them and will provide for you too. God always makes a way for his people. Isaiah 43: 19 says, “See, I do a new thing.” Do you not perceive (realize) it? Like I said yesterday, God is always working. We may not see it, but he is always at work. The verse tells us, “he is making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wastelands.”

Imagine getting lost in the woods. I am from Mississippi, and there are a lot of trees here. It would be easy to get lost, plus I use my GPS to go to church every Sunday. But God says he will make a way in the wilderness for you! He is making drinkable water in a wasteland for YOU. All you have to do is accept his offer.

After the year I have had, I pray every day that God is doing something new, but I don’t see it yet. Are you looking for a fresh start too? God promises that he is working and providing for us. It may take longer than we would like, “The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promises as some count slowness, but is patient toward you.” 2 Peter 3:9. Your new thing is coming. Ask God to help you be patient or to help you have peace while you wait.

It is hard not to dwell on the negative things we are going through or have gone through, but know that it is the devil trying to make sure you think you can’t trust God. Don’t let those thoughts stick around. You may not be able to control the thoughts from coming in but you can make sure they don’t stick around. My pastor, quoting Martin Luther, said, “You can’t stop the bird from flying in but you can stop it from building a nest in your hair.”

Lord, again I thank you and pray for each person reading this. I pray that you give us peace while you do a new thing in our lives. I pray that you open our hearts and minds toward you. I ask that you break all of our chains and create that way in the wilderness or that spring in the wasteland for us. Lord, we love you and thank you for the new thing you will do in our lives, in your time, not ours. Help us trust in you for your promises and wait on you. Help us not take things into our own hands but truly trust you, Lord. Amen.