Something New

15 I am the Lord, your Holy One, the Creator of Israel, your King.” 16 Thus says the Lord, who makes a way in the sea, a path in the mighty waters, 17 who brings forth chariot and horse, army and warrior; they lie down, they cannot rise, they are extinguished, quenched like a wick: 18 “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. 19 Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Isaiah 43:15-19 (ESV)

On January 1, 2017, I wrote Ecclesiastes 3:11, “Yet God has made everything beautiful for its own time” on my social media wall. It seemed like a nice declaration to start the year with. I only had pretty things in mind. I was hopeful. There were many things I was very excited to be trusting God for. Looking back, I thought that was kyut! Little did I know that:

1. Things that are made beautiful are not beautiful to begin with,

2. And “not beautiful” has a million and one equivalents…mediocre, ugly, painful, challenging, uncomfortable..and so on and so forth.

This past year, I have experienced so many challenging moments. But even though I didn't see all of it turn into answered prayers, I saw God walk me through each of them, through each sorrow and pain, holding me by the hand and assuring me that He is in control.

Now I understand that before the Lord touches anything in my life to turn them into something beautiful, the Lord puts a contrast behind it. Without contrast, I would miss it completely and dismiss it as ordinary and nothing eventful. This reminds me of something I read about diamonds “…for bright sparkles in a diamond to appear brighter, they should be paired with spots of darkness.” This explains why in jewelry shops,  diamonds are set against a black velvet. Spots of darkness. Makes sense. Those challenges, episodes of discouragement and failure, moments of loneliness, despair and sorrow, those were the contrast that God used in my life. IN.THOSE.TIMES, victories became even more imminent, hope shone brighter than the sun, the Lord’s saving grace tasted sweeter than ever.

And so this 2018, I am holding on to Isaiah 43:15-19. Here are some of the lessons I’ve gleaned so far:

One

EVERYTHING GOD SAYS IS FOUNDED ON HIS NAME, HIS LORDSHIP, HIS AUTHORITY, HIS REIGN—“I AM THE LORD” (v.15)

Every promise and every hope is only true and lasting because of the One who is Faithful and True saying those words. He can be trusted. His plans may not convince us all the time. His will may not be to our favor always. His timing may not always sync with ours. But the truth never changes. He can be trusted no matter what. Why? Because He is LORD.

Two

THE SECOND LESSON POINTS TO THE FIRST.

The foundation is not “the things of old, nor the victories in the past”. The foundation is God Himself. Not what He has done. Not what He has provided thus far. He Himself. Not the prayers that have been answered but to whom they were uttered to. Not the challenges & victories won—but the One who won.

Therefore, “Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old”(v.18). Look to Me, says the Lord. Do not let the failures of the past distract you. Do not let the victories of the past consume you. Fix your gaze on the race that is right before you. Because…

Three

BEHOLD! HE IS DOING A NEW THING!

The Creator is doing a new thing. Behold and witness. Watch as it unfolds. New year. New day. New start. I looked it up on the dictionary (thanks Meriam-Webster) and here is what the word new means:

made or become fresh;beginning as the resumption or repetition of a previous act or thing;

of dissimilar origin and usually of superior quality;

God is doing a new thing:

Something I’ve never seen or experienced before; Some new season altogether; Something upgraded or a version 2.0.

And now it springs forth. It is only beginning. The extraordinary is on its way.

Four

IT WON’T COME EASY. BUT YOU WILL MAKE IT THROUGH.

There will be a season of walking through the wilderness. There will be a season of dryness and thirst. But remember your strong foundation.

He will make a way in the wilderness. He will make rivers in the desert. This fourth lesson is both bitter and sweet. Both scary and assuring. But it is a wonderful lesson to set the tone of 2018 with. Not with wishes and new year’s resolutions, but with a looming reality of a not-so-pretty year ahead. Full of challenges and hardships—but never without hope.

So focus. Not on the “make way” but on the “He will”. Focus not on the Provision that is to come but on the Provider Himself. Focus not on the wilderness and the desert but on the hope that the Savior is on His way.

It won’t be easy, 2018, but you will make it through.

Remind yourself all these. Every. Single. Day. 

Remind yourself to have faith. To believe in the Faithful One.

Remind yourself to trust that He is sovereign. To stand convinced that He is in control.

Remind yourself that God will make a way in the wilderness. When you are lost. He will make a way. He will come to your rescue.

Even when it seems hopeless, He will make a way.

Remind yourself that He is able to make streams in the desert. He breathes life to dry bones. The impossible, He will make possible.

For His purpose. For His glory. Accordingly. He will.

#btbwrites