We’re starting the new year with some more “new” verses. I almost changed my mind. A lot of the verses we’ll be looking at have probably shown up in your devotions already if you have a structured plan. But I feel like God wants me to share some things He’s shown me, so here we go.
“Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old.
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 43:18-19 ESV
God’s not saying never think about the past here. There are plenty of passages in the Bible that encourage us to remember what He has done for us. Remembering His blessings reminds us of His promises and provision, which give us strength and hope to persist through whatever circumstances we might find ourselves in.
This verse is really warning us not to dwell on the past. The Hebrew word for “remember” has the idea of making a memorial of something. If I spend too much time dwelling on what’s happened in the past, I can get stuck in my head. Why did this thing happen in that way? Why don’t I see God working in my life now like I used to? What am I supposed to do?
Dwelling on the past can mess with my expectations about God. These expectations, that God will always do things in exactly the same way He has before, can make me miss what He’s doing around me now.
I want to perceive the new (fresh) things that are springing up around me, not miss them because I’m stuck looking for former things.
I’ve found a couple of things that help me get unstuck. First, I am blessed to have good sisters-in-the-Lord who know me well enough to let me know when I’m stuck in my head. Recognizing my situation is at least half of the challenge. Second, I’ve learned to take Scriptures like today’s and turn them into pray for help.
“Lord, help me to see the new things You are doing
and show me Your way through the wilderness.”
Think About: Do you ever feel stuck in your faith? What do you perceive God doing in your life now?
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