We all like new things, don’t we? We love new houses, new clothes, new shoes and newborn babies! I’d never turn down a new car, a new diamond or a new dishwasher, would you?
However, when God does something new in our lives, often we resist it like a strong-willed toddler, stomping our feet defiantly, crossing our resistant arms and shouting a resounding, “No!” in the face of the one who created us. I will sadly admit that I have acted like that a time or two in my life, have you? I resist change and blindly yearn for that which is comfortable and familiar.
“”Behold, I will do something new, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even make a roadway in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert” (Isa. 43:19, NASB).
I believe God is doing something new at this moment in history, and He is asking each one of us, “Will you not be aware of it? Will you ignore it? Will you turn your backs on my ‘new’ because you prefer your ‘old’?”
One of the sweet disciplines of closely following Jesus is to enthusiastically embrace the new that is offered to us by the Father. The word “behold” contained in Isaiah 43:19 is known as “particle of incitement” in the Hebrew. It is a powerful word that is used in descriptions and in lively narration. It is generally followed by an exclamation point in the ancient writings.
God is excited to reveal to you His new plans and His astounding purposes for your life that are about to spring forth! Just as it is impossible to stop trees from budding, to prohibit grass from growing and to inhibit flowers from blooming, it is also impossible to ignore all the glory and joy of what God has planned for you.
Today is the day to marvel at all of the new things that God has planned for you. Perhaps you should take some time and just view from a joyful perspective the enormous amount of creativity that God has put into restoring the waste places of your life.
It is a new day of restoration and provision! And so it is necessary to lay aside the resistance and the dread that often accompany change. We serve such an extraordinary Father that He is able to clearly mark a roadway in places that have threatened to obliterate our potential for dignity and for purpose. He has lavishly designed places of refreshing in areas that in the past would have denied our ability to reproduce. Every new thing that God offers is for our abundance and for our delight!
“The beasts of the field will glorify Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I have given waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert to give drink to my chosen people” (Isa. 43:20).
If beasts, jackals and ostriches are able to praise the Lord based on the new thing that He is doing, then so will I! No jackal is going to out-sing me. No beast is going to lift his hands higher than I do.! No ostrich is going to worship more intently than I do!
The people I have formed for Myself; they shall declare My praise” (Isa. 43:21, MEV).
Every new thing that He creates in your life should not be met with dread, but it should be greeted with praise! When God offers a gift to one of His beloved children, our hearts should respond in grand thanksgiving and unmatched gratitude.
I love new things, don’t you? {eoa}
Carol McLeod is an author and popular speaker at women’s conferences and retreats, where she teaches the Word of God with great joy and enthusiasm. Carol encourages and empowers women with passionate and practical biblical messages mixed with her own special brand of hope and humor. She has written 10 books, including The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart; Defiant Joy!; Holy Estrogen!; No More Ordinary; Refined; Joy For All Seasons; Let There Be Joy!; Pass the Joy, Please!; Guide Your Mind, Guard Your Heart, Grace Your Tongue; and Stormproof, which releases on March 1, 2019. Her teaching DVD, The Rooms of a Woman’s Heart, won the Telly Award, a prestigious industry award for excellence in religious programming. You can also listen to Carol’s “Jolt of Joy” program daily on the Charisma Podcast Network. Connect with Carol or inquire about her speaking to your group at carolmcleodministries.com.
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