Isaiah 43:16-21
I am the one who cut a path through the mighty ocean.I sent an army to chase you with chariots and horses; now they lie dead, unable to move. They are like an oil lamp with the flame snuffed out. Forget the Past The Lord said: Forget what happened long ago! Don't think about the past. I am creating something new. There it is! Do you see it? I have put roads in deserts, streams in thirsty lands. Every wild animal honors me, even jackals[ and owls. I provide water in deserts—streams in thirsty lands for my chosen people. I made them my own nation, so they would praise me. Isaiah 43:16-21 (CEV)
These verses are a reminder to the Israelites of God’s power to deliver them from captivity. He is urging them to focus on the future, new things He is doing in their lives rather than dwelling on the past, reminding them of God’s faithfulness and power.
We have all faced moments when we felt lost, hopeless, or stuck in the past? There may be times when we face uncertain situations and we may be afraid that we are getting in over our heads. Looking to the future and moving forward seems difficult.
I look back at some of the most difficult times in my life. I remember thinking, how will I ever make it through? I needed to remind myself that God was with me, He was always walking beside me. There was no reason to be afraid. He was not going to leave me! I needed to take those steps to move forward, to keep my head up, and to focus on the ‘new’.
We cannot avoid suffering and we may not always understand the reason, but it is known by God. He has promised that if we stay full of faith, He will see us through. Sometimes the hardest thing to do is to trust, and to stay strong in our faith, yet that is what God wants us to do. If God can be at work among people being led away to exile, certainly God can be at work in our day to day events. He never leaves us! He wants only the best for us because He loves us. We are his children!
God wants us to let go of the past, and to remember, He never runs out of good things to do for us. He's always doing some ‘new’ good thing. We must trust in him and know that he is always walking with us. God's promises never fail. If we believe there is a better tomorrow, maybe we can better face the difficulties of today.
Questions for Reflection:
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What could you do to remind yourself that God is with you every day?
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Are there things you have given up on? Do you believe there is a better tomorrow?
Prayer:
Dear God, Thank you for your promises of hope and new possibilities. Help us to focus on the blessings and enjoy the good things that you have given us. As we face uncertainty, help us to put our trust and faith in you, believing that you are always with us! Amen
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