Seeing The New Thing

Monday, June 1

Isaiah 43:18-19 (NIV)

“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.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.”

Devotion

Some memories seem to be hardwired to the pain of betrayal, heartache, and grief so much that our responses to present situations are tainted by those past experiences.

Even the good memories of old are not meant to keep us living in the past. If our focus is on those former things, we could miss the new thing that God is doing right now! In fact, we could be standing right in the midst of what God is doing and miss it completely—like the person who misses that the sky is blue because they are staring at their shoes. They may not even see their shoes because they are lost in thought. But either way, they have missed out on something good.

God says, “See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?” The person who perceives a new thing has an awareness about them. They are watching for what God will do next, and they have faith in Him to move. They anticipate that God is up to something in their life and in the lives of those around them. There is an understanding within them that God is constantly at work for their good.

The former things whisper that nothing will change, that everyone is out to get us, and that harm is around every corner. Holding fast to the former things can distort our vision. We see limits instead of possibilities; we see who is against us instead of who is for us.

God is for us, not against us. He is making a way in the wilderness! He has streams for us to drink from in what seems to be a wasteland. Fix your eyes on Him and see the new thing that He is doing today!

Today's Prayer

Dear Heavenly Father, 

Thank You that You are always at work in my life. Help me release the past—both the pain and the comfort of what has been—so I can recognize the new thing You are doing today. Open my eyes to see Your hand at work, strengthen my faith to trust Your leading, and remind me that You are making a way even when I cannot yet see it. In the Name of Jesus, I pray. Amen.

Apply It Today

Take a few minutes today to identify one past experience that may be shaping your current perspective. Surrender it to God in prayer, then ask Him to show you one new thing He is doing in your life right now. Choose to focus on His promises rather than your past experiences.

Resources

• If you missed yesterday's message, “Can You See It?”, catch the replay and discover how to recognize the new thing God is doing in your life.

• Summer United Nights kicks off tonight! Don’t miss the first session—it’s not too late to sign up. It’s going to be a fun, and inspirational night. Sign up here.