He Makes All Things New

 

 by Toni M. Babcock

“Do not remember the past events, pay no attention to things of old. Look, I am about to do something new; even now it is coming. Do you not see it? Indeed, I will make a way in the wilderness, rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:18-19 CSB.)

God gave a command to His people in this passage to pay no attention to ‘things of old’, but to pay attention to something new. 

“Do you not see it?” the LORD asks.

 
The truth is, we don’t always see the ‘something new’ God is doing. 

Instead, we get in the way, allowing our past with all its foibles and failures to shroud the reality of what God is working to achieve in our lives today. 

It’s as if God is mildly admonishing us through this passage “Forget your past! 

I’m doing something new! Don’t you see it? 

Stop imagining you’re the beginning and end of all that I’m doing in your life; you’re not — I AM. 

I will make a way in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert—so trust Me.” 

This is the hope-filled message we need when our past returns to obscure the Savior.

 
Faith latches onto what God has done, is doing, and will continue to do for us through the power of Christ today. 

In view of all God has done for us through Christ, who is the beginning and the end of all things— the one who makes everything new (cf. Revelation 21:5-6 CSB), may we renew our trust in Him today.

Prayer — Lord, forgive us for the lack of faith we sometimes still struggle with. Help us let go of past events that have hurt us, harmed us, angered us, or defeated us. May we have faith today to drink fully from the springs in the desert you have provided, trusting in Jesus — Amen.

Toni is author of Reflections from the Heart, in Light of the Gospel of Jesus, and The Stone Writer, Christian Fiction for Young Readers and Teens. Contact