Isaiah 43:18-19
Don’t you just love new things?
- Don’t you love to go to Barnes and Noble and pick out a brand new book?
- Or maybe for you, it’s going to Shoe Carnival and buying a new pair of shoes.
- Maybe your thing isn’t books or shoes — maybe it’s technology. Nothing like a new iPhone.
- Or maybe, it’s the adventure of discovering a new path through the mountains,
- Or maybe, its finding a new restaurant.
- Or what about — that new car smell.
My point is just that WE LIKE NEW THINGS!
But, so does God. And, the Bible is replete with verses and stories that testify to that fact!
So, over the next 6 weeks, we’re going to explore God plan to RENEW our lives!
TRANSITION:
I recently read an article about a London businessman who was selling a piece of property. It housed an old building — one from generations ago. And it reflected that fact.
Well, the building had been empty for months and it needed loads of repairs. In fact, squatters had begun to live in it. And vandals had damaged it’s doors, smashed in many of the windows, and spray painted their markings throughout the building.
As you can imagine — the place was littered with trash. And it had an awful smell to it.
Well, after sitting on the market for several weeks — someone showed some interest in it. And, as the owner showed the prospective buyer around, he really tried to sell the man on the place’s potential. He even went so far as to say — if the man was really interested, that he’d be willing to replace the broken windows, and he could bring in a crew to clean the graffiti off the walls, and he’d arrange for someone to clear out the garbage.
But the buyer just shook his head — and said, not necessary. He said. “If I buy this place, I’m not making repairs, I’m starting over. Because, I don’t want the building; He said — I want the site!”
And as I was thinking about that story — I began to think….that’s really the way God approaches our lives.
I know, we often think when we comes to God’s interest in us, that we need to make some changes — maybe show some improvements. So, we vow to start some new habits…or maybe, we vow to stop some bad habits. Thinking that will impress Him.
But, make no mistake about it — God isn’t in THE FIXER UPPER BUSINESS. He’s more of A TOTAL SITE DEVELOPER. His plans are to RENEW our lives…to make — ALL THINGS NEW!
Years ago I heard a statement that supports this idea. It says:
Nature forms us.
Sin deforms us.
School informs us.
Prison reforms us.
But only Christ transforms us.
And that’s true. He wants to totally transform us! From the inside out! As the apostle Paul states in 2 Corinthians 5:17,
“If anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”
2 Corinthians 5:17 (NIV)
MESSAGE:
Well, in the Old Testament book of Isaiah, there’s a really interesting passage that speaks of the NEW THINGS God has planned to do in our lives.
It’s found in Isaiah chapter 43. So, if you have your Bible — turn there with me. Isaiah 43.
We’re just going to look at a couple of verses here — but I’ll try to fill in the gaps, and give you the back story (so you understand the context).
Isaiah writes this passage, and sends it to the people of Israel, and he tells of their impending exile. Because of their sin and rebellion, God allows them to be overtaken…and eventually the city of Jerusalem would fall and the people of God would be carried off into exile by the nation of Babylon. And there they’d stay — in captivity for 70 years.
Now, this hasn’t happened yet — but it will. And so, God speaks to them in advance and tells them, after their exile is over…He has grand plans for them.
And in Isaiah 43:18-19, God says:
18 “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. 19 See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)
The meaning of Isaiah 43:19 is rich with encouragement for difficult seasons and hard times. It helps us understand God’s heart towards us, even when life isn’t going our way.
But, just as God spoke to the people of Israel (centuries ago), He also speaks to you and me. And His counsel is clear…when He says:
1. Stop Looking Behind!
I know some people who can stop looking backwards. They almost live their lives in reverse. Do you know what I’m talking about? For some, the past is the greatest thing that will ever be.
And they live there lives in the past.
But, while the past may be a great place from which we can learn — it’s a terrible place to try to live. So, God says,
“Forget the former things…”
Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)
Isaiah reminds us — that there is a danger in looking back. Not only can it cause us to stumble in moving forward. But it can also entice us and woo us back to places we’ve already left.
So, don’t look back.
God seems to imply that even the victories from our past can be a snare. They have the potential of holding us back.
— So, don’t expect past victories to sustain you.
The people of Israel had a rich history of God doing marvelous miracles for them.
They were descendants of those who had walked through the Red Sea on dry land when God built walls out of the waters. They were the descendants of those who drank water from the rock when Moses struck it.
For generations, these stories were told and retold to remind them of the God whom they served.
It is these stories that would have kept their hope afloat throughout all that life was throwing at them. And it was also very likely that these stories would help them endure slavery in Babylon. But before they even went into slavery, God was sending them a new reason to hope.
God was telling them not to look back on those old stories or to dwell on them too much. Instead, God wanted them to look forward. He wanted them to build their hope on what He would do for them in the future.
In the same way, God is reminding you to not allow the past victories and work of the Lord in your life to satisfy you. Because, they’ll never be enough. They were simply what He used to get you to where you are.
The question we must ask ourselves then is, “What is God saying to us today?”
— And, don’t allow past failures to paralyze you.
“…do not dwell on the past.”
Isaiah 43:18 (NIV)
Although there maybe a reason to look back to remember the past at times, don’t stay there. Don’t get lost in past regrets or past dreams.
When you dwell on the failures of your past — you will be hindered from possessing your promises of God in your future.
In Israel’s case — if had they remained stuck in their discouragement or remained focused on their past sin and failures (those things which led them into Babylon), they never would have moved beyond their confinement. And, they never would have experienced the promise of something new that God had planned for them.
Have you ever noticed how vehicles have a much larger windshield than they do a rearview mirror?
In the same way just as a car is designed to DRIVE forward, so are we! A car stuck in reverse is dangerous. We aren’t designed to live life in reverse.
So, make a decision — and refuse to allow yourself to get stuck gazing into the rear-view mirror of your life.
Do as God’s Word directs…and Leave the past behind. Especially the guilt of the past.
Listen to the words of David from Psalm 32. Having been a man familiar with sin and compromise, He writes these powerful words as a prayer to God. He says,
“Then I acknowledged my sin to you and did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.”
Psalm 32:5 (NIV)
It’s because of this — this assurance of God’s forgiveness of sin, that David says in verse 1-2,
1 Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered. 2 Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.
Psalm 32:1-2 (NIV)
Listen, if you are IN CHRIST…if you have surrendered your life to Him — then your past failures, your past sin, your past pain and brokenness are no longer the defining marks of your lives. Jesus, and His Cross are! Because IN Christ, you are a new creation…not just repaired or remanufactured, — you are completely NEW!
You might recall, in Philippians 3:13–14, the apostle Paul wrote to the church in Philippi and urged them to let go of the past too. Giving his own testimony — he said,
“…one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 3:13–14 (NIV)
Paul reminds us (as does Isaiah), that our goal in life isn’t in the past. So, STOP LOOKING BEHIND…
But secondly…
2. Start Looking Ahead!
As God continues to speak through Isaiah, He says,
“…See, I am doing a new thing!”
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
The implication is that we must keep our eyes focused ahead — always looking for God’s promise to be fulfilled in our lives.
For those of the Old Testament, they were continually reminded that God had promised to send a Messiah (a promised and anointed one), who would free them from the tyranny of their sin and the shackles of the Law.
Knowing they could never keep His commands — they could never produce a Holiness equal to the requirements of the Law…God promised to send someone who could. And that was Jesus.
And so, the people of Israel were constantly reminded to keep scanning the horizon of their lives — and remain faithful to hold on to HOPE.
They were supposed to look ahead and watch for God to come through.
In the same way, the Jewish exiles were told to express that same sense of HOPE and watch for God to bring something NEW and surprising into their lives.
In Hebrew the word for NEW THING, is the word “chadash.” And, It refers to something completely new — something that has never happened before.
So, while the Hebrew people may have had many victories in their past:
— Leaving Egypt
— Conquering Canaan
— Defeating enemies
— Surviving civil-war
— All those were great victories…BUT GOD HAD MORE IN-STORE FOR THEM. He had a new work, a new miracle, a new victory ahead. It would include returning to their homeland, rebuilding the temple, and most important — welcoming the Messiah (Jesus).
And just as they had NEW WORKS, and NEW MIRACLES, and NEW VICTORIES ahead of them — so also do you and I!
God’s promise to do something NEW — is pregnant with hope!
So, LOOK AHEAD and allow your heart to fill with hope. Begin to DREAM about that NEW THING that He might do. Pray about it.
Over the years, I’ve become convinced that people of HOPE or people of FAITH — are people of PRAYER. Often we think of prayer as a response of fear — but it’s just the opposite. We don’t pray our best prayers out of fear — but out of faith…a ruthless trust and faith in God.
And if you are LOOKING AHEAD towards the NEW THINGS that God wants to do in you, you will EXPECT and PRAY.
So, let me ask you — what kind of prayers are you praying? What bold things are you asking God for in prayer?
Let’s be honest, too often our prayers are weak and benign (just empty words of routine). But God’s Word calls us to amp up our expectation — to LOOK AHEAD and pray. To seek His face. To call out to Him with desire and courage.
As Paul says in Philippians 4,
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”
Philippians 4:6- 7 (NIV)
To this point, James says,
“You do not have, because you do not ask God”
James 4:2 (NIV)
Consider for a moment — what if we prayed bold prayers?
Let’s begin to ask God to do some things that only God can do. The healing of a family member. The provision for your family. A new job. The reconciliation of a broken relationship. To salvation of a son or daughter.
Let’s LOOK AHEAD and begin to ask God to do some things that only God can do!
Let’s LOOK AHEAD…and let’s expect God to come through. That’s really the point of verse 19, when God says…
“Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
Isaiah 43:19 (NIV)
He’s calling us to faith. To expectation and anticipation.
You only look for that which you expect to find!
So, LOOK AHEAD and expect God to do something great in you! And lastly,
3. Commit Yourself to God’s Plan.
It always seems that with God, the process is more important than the destination. Meaning, the journey has meaning. Walking out the plan has value.
Look again at the end of verse 19, where God says,
19 …I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
Don’t rush to fast past that little word WAY. God says, “I am making a way…”
He’s saying — I am giving you a new path to follow. He’s saying…FOLLOW ME!
This is really an Old Testament picture of what Jesus would later say to those fishermen on the shores of Galilee. He’s saying, “Follow Me!”
God’s point was that — if His people would TRUST IN HIM and FOLLOW HIS LEAD…then He would take them places they had never been. He would (by His expertise), guide them THROUGH the desert places…because, He knew the way.”
That’s such an interesting phrase. In the New Testament, Jesus called Himself “the Way.” He said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life…”
Could it be that the NEW THING God wants to do IN YOU and FOR YOU will happen ALONG THE WAY? Not just at the destination — but along the journey.
Think of the wonders you will see — and the experiences you will have along the WAY!
New moments, new opportunities, new ventures, new challenges to grow your faith, new tests to refine your trust. And while the NEW THINGS may not be easy — they will be worth it!”
So, FOLLOW HIS LEAD…and one more thing. Notice the last part of verse 19.
After promising us a new path to follow, He also promises to provide for our needs along the way. As He puts it,
“…I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland.”
So, when you are faithful to follow Him — the promise is not only for those NEW THINGS, but also for direction and guidance, and provision as well.
He says you’ll find streams of refreshing. Streams of life. Streams of hope. Streams to courage — streams to quench your thirst and supply you with renewed strength. And while you may walk through some tough terrain and some difficult times, He has already made provision for your every need!
I have to say, there is such rich parallel between this passage and that of John 7, where Jesus speaks of “rivers of living water”. Have you ever noticed it?
In John chapter 7, Jesus shows up on the last, and greatest day of the festival of Tabernacles and proclaims that there is a better way to live than just going through the motions of our daily grind.
It’s a promise of something better, something more. It’s a reminder that we were created for His glory — to live well and reflect Him in all we do. It was a call to significance and success. And, in verse 37, John tells us:
37 On the last and greatest day of the festival, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, “Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. 38 Whoever believes in me, as Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them.”
John 7:27-28 (NIV)
The call of Jesus to you and me (and all those who heard Him on that day), was (and is) — “come to me”. Come, and drink. Come, and believe. Come!
And as you come — as you follow His lead and heed His call, He says…no matter the difficulty of the journey…not matter the dryness of the desert, no matter the struggle of your path…when you come to Him, you shall find “rivers of living water” flowing from within!
This is His promise to you! And what a promise it is!
If you will commit yourself to His plan — He will revive, restore, and RENEW you…every step of the way. And, in case you are wondering how this will happen, John says in verse 39:
39 By this he meant the Spirit, whom those who believed in him were later to receive. Up to that time the Spirit had not been given, since Jesus had not yet been glorified. 40 On hearing his words, some of the people said, “Surely this man is the Prophet.” 41 Others said, “He is the Messiah.”
John 7:29-41 (NIV)
John said, this refreshing which would flow from within the lives of His followers would not come from a Red Bull Energy Drink, or power-nap, or an extended weekend, or even a vacation. He said, the refreshing flow of life that would come our way — would come from within…as the very presence of God (the Holy Spirit) filled our lives and renewed our spirits.
— But that doesn’t happen unless you commit yourself to following HIs path.
— You don’t get the power of the Holy Spirit at work in you if you seek to do life your way.
— He doesn’t reward you with strength and vigor if you’ve decided to neglect His path.
— But if you follow His plan… He will renew your strength and fill you with His Spirit.
CONCLUSION:
Friends — God has NEW THINGS in store for you. The question is, will you trust Him enough to let go of your past, look forward to your future, and follow His lead?