Daily devotional · March 13
Behold, a New Thing
“Thus says the LORD, who makes a way in the sea and a path through the surging waters, who brings out the chariots and horses, the armies and warriors together, to lie down, never to rise again; to be extinguished, snuffed out like a wick: “Do not call to mind the former things; pay no attention to the things of old. Behold, 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 and streams in the desert. The beasts of the field will honor Me, the jackals and the ostriches, because I provide water in the wilderness and rivers in the desert, to give drink to My chosen people. The people I formed for Myself will declare My praise.”
God reminds Israel of the day he opened a path through the sea, a memory every Israelite treasured. Then, surprisingly, he says not to dwell on the past because he is doing a new thing. Springing up like a shoot, making a way in the wilderness, and streams in the desert. This is not a dismissal of history; it is an invitation to expect that the God who acted then is still acting. Sometimes we get stuck either mourning better days or assuming our current wilderness will last forever. Isaiah insists that God's story is not finished. Notice also the purpose: a people formed for himself to proclaim his praise. Today, look for a small sign of new life in a dry area of your life, a thawing relationship, a renewed interest, a door slightly ajar. Thank God for it out loud, and take one step through.
Prayer
God of new beginnings, open my eyes to what You are already doing in me. Amen.