Over the last couple weeks I have found my self sharing a lot around the idea of new beginnings and letting go of the past. I want to look at this once again from a different perspective.
In the Bible app that I use it gives you a “Verse of the Day.” Earlier this week Isaiah 43:18-19 was that verse.
Isaiah 43:18-19
[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 wilderness and streams in the wasteland.
Isaiah 43:18-19 (Amp)
[18] “Do not remember the former things, Or ponder the things of the past. [19] Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth; Will you not be aware of it? I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
I truly believe that this passage is a message is one we ALL need and it is for HERE and NOW.
Let’s take a moment to consider it a little deeper by looking at it in smaller pieces.
Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.
I don’t know how much more direct and clear these instructions can be. We need to let go of EVERYTHING from the past. That means EVERYTHING – failures, mistakes, hurts, offenses, even traumas.
I believe that as we let go and give Him all of the above He will begin to heal us mentally, emotionally and spiritually.
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?
The Amplified says it this way,
Listen carefully, I am about to do a new thing, Now it will spring forth;
No matter which translation you look at, the over all messge remains the same, “Look, listen give me your full attention. I am about to So something that is new and different that Will stretch you out off your comfort zone. See even NOW, it is beginning.”
I believe the Lord has the same message for us TODAY. He is doing new things in the world and even more importantly He desires to do new things IN us individually and corporately. The question, will we pay attention and recognize it and be a part of the movement or we can continue as we are and miss out. That brings me to the next portion of the passage.
I will even put a road in the wilderness, Rivers in the desert.
Here is I think my favorite part…. No matter where we are, what struggles we are facing, or how we see our relationship with Him at the moment, HE IS MAKING A WAY for us to be a part. He is making RIVERS of fresh water of His presence and goodness for us to drink to renew and revive our dry and desperate souls.
That brings me to my final thoughts.
2 Corinthians 4:17
[17] For our momentary, light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory far beyond all comparison,
No matter how dark and overwhelming the challenges and struggles we face In the here and now the are TEMPORARY! They will pass and we can and will get through them. In addition, though the don’t feel like it now, they easy and lignt compared to the overwhelming weight of the blessings and eternal glory that they will produce in us. How do we come to realize this blessing and glory? we are actually told that in the preceeding verse.
Therefore we do not lose heart, but though our outer person is decaying, yet our inner person is being renewed day by day.
Our spirit is being renewed and strengthened day by day as we focus our eyes and attention on Him. He then by The Spirit strengthens our weakness and draws us closer to Himself and we become more like the one we seek after.
Finally, let’s connect this to where we started.
Mark 2:21-22
[21] No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old garment; or else the new piece pulls away from the old, and the tear is made worse. [22] And no one puts new wine into old wineskins; or else the new wine bursts the wineskins, the wine is spilled, and the wineskins are ruined. But new wine must be put into new wineskins.”
I am sure you are asking what does that have to do with what we are talking about. EVERYTHING. Because He is preparing to do a new thing, then we must be ready. We must be “new wineskins” prepared and renewed by The Spirit or when the new thing comes we will not be able to contain it. We will not be able to receive or participate to the fullest benefit.
So my friends, whether you find yourself in a fruitfull field of His blessings or wondering in the wilderness of trials, pain and doubt set your eyes on HIM. Surrender to the working of The Spirit and keep your eyes and ears open so you are ready for what is coming.
Even then, we join with the saints of old and say, “Come Lord Jesus.”