“Forget the former things;
do not dwell on the past.
See, I am doing a new thing!
Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:18-19
Something Beautiful #1: A New Thing – Isaiah 43:18-19
Sometimes I don’t think new things are all that beautiful. Sometimes they scare me a little. I mean, don’t get me wrong – most of the time, I do think new things are beautiful – new babies, new blooms, new job, new relationship, new season…the list goes on and on.
Beautiful and New
When something beautiful and new comes along, there was always something before that. The former thing might have been really bad and it might feel like they will cast a shadow on the new things that are springing up. Or maybe, the past was comfortable and the new thing seems risky.
But continuing to look back to the past will keep us from embracing the future. God knows this and he instructs in Isaiah 43:18:
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.”
What is God up to?
“See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it.” Isaiah 43:19a
The printable for this is of bamboo, which is the fastest growing plant in the world. It springs up and grows extremely quickly. You would think it would be here today and gone tomorrow, but bamboo isn’t like that.
Amazingly, it has a tensile strength stronger than steel. It survived Hiroshima. It can be made into fabric, structures, food, and was even a part of the first firecrackers and the first lightbulbs. You see, when God makes something new, He gives it special qualities that make it useful and a blessing to us. It is something beautiful.
A Way
“I am making a way in the wilderness
and streams in the wasteland.” Isaiah 43:19b
God’s new things for us provide a way forward, out of the past and into His will. He walks with us and provides for us. When we step into His new things, we lean into His strength and rely on His faithfulness.
Action Step:
Is there something new God is opening the door for you to step into? Are you nervous? Do you keep looking back at the past and longing for its comfort or bemoaning its trauma? Today is a day to look forward and lean into God’s power in this new season. Create something to remind you of this principle: a screensaver of bamboo, Isaiah 43:18-19 on an index card, etc. I have the Lego bamboo set on my desk at work because this newer season for me in my job is difficult but also rewarding. I need God’s help to do my job well.
Come gather together on social media! Head on over to the Facebook page @DevoInAction (https://www.facebook.com/devoinaction) and introduce yourself to us! Share your thoughts about today’s devotional or post a pic of your journaling under #1: A New Thing – Isaiah 43:18-19 or post on Instagram and tag me @devoinaction!
THEN, comment on someone else’s post to encourage and build them up in the Lord! Let’s not just share our art but also the heart of what God is speaking to us with one another.
Prayer:
Dear God, Give us Your strength and reveal Your faithfulness to us as we set our eyes forward and move into the new things You have for us. In Jesus’ name, amen.
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