“Do not call to mind the former things, or ponder things
of the past. Behold, I will do something new, now it will spring forth; will you
not be aware of it?”
Isaiah 43:18-19
As we move into a new year, there is a sense
of old things passing away and new things coming. We make resolutions, which
are well-intended commitments of things we plan to change in the coming year.
For example, on the physical level, we may plan exercise more or change our
eating habits. We may plan to cut back on our Krispy Kreme doughnut intake! On
the spiritual level, we may plan to get more involved in the ministry of the
church. That may mean joining a Sunday School class or adding Sunday and
Wednesday evening services to our weekly schedule. These are well-intended
actions, but if we’re not careful we can soon find ourselves defaulting to the
same old routines.
A new year brings challenges of unavoidable
changes. For some of us, that may mean getting used to writing 2015 on our checks
rather than 2014. It may mean reprogramming ourselves to accept the changes and
opportunities of a new year and new season. This is similar to the message the
prophet Isaiah brought to God’s people Israel. Assyria had invaded the
fortified cities of Judah, which ultimately led to the fall of Jerusalem. The
Babylonians had carried Judah into exile, so chapter’s 40-55 record what
happened during that exilic period.
It’s in these troubled times that Isaiah
brings a word of encouragement to God’s people. He reminds them that God had
not forgotten them in their time of need. Not only had God not forgotten them,
but He had planned to deliver them and restore them as a people and nation. Furthermore,
He would bring judgment against their enemies. God had a wonderful plan for His
people, but laying hold of it would require their obedience.
Church, God has a wonderful plan for us. He
has a new season of opportunities for us to enjoy, but laying hold of it will
require our obedience. Let me share three simple statements that we need to
consider as we move into this new year:
Let go.
God
tells Israel not to call to mind the former things or ponder the things of the
past. Don’t allow things in the past to hinder you from laying hold of the
future. Sin often holds us back and it can come in many different forms – from
past hurts and unforgiveness to addictions and strongholds. Is there anything
holding us back that we need to let go?
Take
hold.
God
gives Israel a word of promise that He will do a new thing. God has given us
His Word and it is filled with wonderful promises, but we must take hold of
them. We must receive God’s Word as truth for our lives. Is there truth from God
that you need to take hold of right now?
Move
forward.
Unless
we are letting go of sin and taking hold of God’s truth, we will not be able to
move forward and enjoy the new thing that God will do. Friends, I don’t want to
miss what God has planned. So, let’s let go, let’s take hold, and let’s move
forward together! Happy New Year!
Serving Together,
Pastor
Brett
