"See I am doing a new thing!" (Isaiah 43:18-19)


Read Isaiah 43:14-19


The prophet Isaiah warned Judah that its sin would lead to captivity by Babylon. Isaiah also predicted the redemption of God’s people, just as He had rescued them from Egypt. Our text is in the middle of a comforting section on the restoration and regathering of the people of Israel. Isaiah 43:16-17 is a reminder of how God delivered His people from Egypt. However, he doesn't want them to dwell on "the former things." Instead, Isaiah is subtly pointing them forward to Christ's coming. Jesus is the way forward. Jesus, Himself, said, "I am the way, the truth and the light" (John 14:6). Our way to salvation is Jesus. We are to see and be thankful for God's forgiveness for our past sins and look ahead to Christ's coming. In the Israelites case, it would have been His first coming. For us, however, Jesus has already come, so we can look forward to His return. Our text not only calls Jesus the way, but He is also the only "water" that truly quenches our thirst. Like thirsty people in the desert, we crave water. Jesus even said, "Whoever drinks the water I give them will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give them will become in them a spring of water welling up to eternal life" (John 4:13). Just as we need water to live physically, so too, we need Jesus in order to be alive in the Spirit. So seek God; seek Jesus like a thirsty man in the desert seeks water. Live by the Word of God and do not dwell on things of the past. Seek forgiveness for your sins and leave them with God. Crave His presence and continue to seek Him in His Word. Live your life in eager expectation of Christ's return, and in all things, praise His Holy Name.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Desiring Children Part 1

Image
Read Genesis 16, and Genesis 18:1-15 The desire for children is something many struggle with. Some struggle to get pregnant, some struggle with the loss of pregnancies, and some struggle with the lack of control over having children. These are not new difficulties but have been the struggles of many women dating all the way back to Biblical times. While I personally never struggled with getting pregnant, I wrestled with the desire for and the loss of children. I know the constant anxiety of wondering if each month was the one I'd get pregnant in; many times, I cried out to God to let me have a child to hold and keep. Nine times I prayed that God would let each child live. Nine times I was denied, and my child was called to our heavenly home. The desire for children is something most people eventually feel at some point but most take for granted that it will all go as they expect. We simply don't think of all that can go wrong, until it does. You're not alone in your strugg
Read more

Cleanse me, oh God!

Image
As a child, I often liked to play outside. Like many kids, I liked making mud pies and playing with dirt. There's several ways children will play; some get right down on their hands and knees or even sit right in the mud. They're not afraid to get dirty. Some, like me, liked to play with the mud but didn't really want to get filthy. I would crouch down and use sticks and occasionally use my hands. I wanted to have fun but didn't really want to get messy. Then, there are still other children who don't want to play with mud or have anything to do with getting dirty. But you can never truly avoid all puddles, especially when it's raining. In a way, you can compare the mud to sin. Some people wallow in their sin, loving every minute and not caring how dirty they get. Others want to have the fun and pleasure sin can bring but don't want to get too dirty. It's just a little fun. And then there are those who, by God's grace, strive to live a life apart from
Read more

Slaves and masters. A series on Ephesians Part 12 (Ephesians 6:5-9)

Image
Read Ephesians 6: 5-9 Today's text is a difficult subject. Slavery was not part of God's intended design, so why do we see it in the Bible? Paul does not condone slavery; however, because of the socioeconomic situation of the Roman occupation, it was an embedded institution. The Christians Paul wrote to were subject to Roman laws, and therefore, many Jews were either slaves or masters.  Paul wrote a lot about our attitudes and how we should live our lives in the various roles we are placed in. This is why he wrote to slaves and masters. As with so many of his instructions, Paul addresses both perspectives and points them to God. No matter your station or status in this life, we are equal, in Christ, before God. Although we do not have slavery in our society here now, we can compare this relationship to that of an employer and employee. We can look at what Paul instructs and use it in whatever our job is here and now. What, then, should we ascertain from today's passage? Thr
Read more