Have a Great New Year

Isaiah encouraged the people of Israel to turn the corner in life and to have a great new year.  He wrote:

                Do not remember the former things,

                Nor consider the things of old.

                Behold, I will do a new thing,

                Now it shall spring forth;

                Shall you not know it?

                I will even make a road in the wilderness

                And rivers in the desert. (Isaiah 43:18-19)

Isaiah begins by encouraging God's people to forget "the former things" (v. 18a), "the things of old" (v. 18b). Why? Because God plans to do something new on their behalf. "I will do a new thing" (v. 19a), God tells His people through Isaiah. Deliverances of the nation in the past will pale in comparison with the future deliverance the Lord will give His people.

In the Messiah's future kingdom, the barren places of Israel will be well-watered. "I will open rivers in desolate heights, And fountains in the midst of the valleys; I will make the wilderness a pool of water, And the dry land springs of water" (Is. 41:18) and "to give drink to My people, My chosen" (Is. 43:20).

What God is saying through His prophet Isaiah, is to let go of the past and look ahead to better times in the future. God is looking to bless you greatly in the new year. Be forward looking and God will greatly bless you in the new year. Amen.