June 27 -- "The God of New Things"

Today's Reading: Isaiah 43 

"The God of New Things"

God is not confined by the past, but is actively creating something new in our lives. Many passages in the Bible emphasize the importance of leaving behind the past, focusing on our new identity in Christ, and looking ahead to the promises and hope that God has for us in the future.

In today’s passage from the book of Isaiah, the Lord is speaking to His people, encouraging them to leave behind the burdens of their past and to anticipate the new work He is about to do in their lives. The Israelites were reminded not to dwell on their past failures, struggles, or successes, but to fix their gaze on the future that God had in store for them.

Similarly, we are called to let go of our past, the regrets, the missed opportunities, the failures, and the pain that may have weighed us down. God is in the business of making all things new. "Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come." (2 Corinthians 5:17) As we look to Him, He promises to guide us through even the most desolate of circumstances, providing a way forward and refreshing our souls like rivers in the desert.

Like the Apostle Paul who said, “One thing I do: forgetting what lies behind and straining forward to what lies ahead, I press on toward the goal for the prize of the upward call of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13-14), let us embrace the new beginnings God has for us. Let go of the old, trusting that God's plans are always better and greater than we can imagine. Seek His guidance and stay open to the "new thing" He is doing in your life.

In times of uncertainty or difficulty, remember that God is faithful and will make a way for you, even in the wilderness. Keep your eyes on Him, for He is the source of our hope and the One who leads us into a future filled with promise and purpose. Let us release the burdens of the past. Let go of regrets, failures, and what might have been. For God is not confined by the past, but is actively creating something new in our lives. Open your hearts and minds to the possibilities, for God's work is always unfolding, surprising, and full of grace. Let us step forward in faith, ready to embrace the new things God has in store.